Forest School

New Park Academy has a learning programme called Forest School. At Forest School, pupils will experience a variety of activities in each session such as:

• Art work

• Maths practical work

• Orienteering

• Rope/knot making

• Tent/shelter making

• Building camp fires

• Cooking their own food

• Heating their own warm drink

• Learning the rules of the forest

• Recycling

• Habitats

• Working together

Waiting for Lunch - Dove Stones, Saddleworth, Oldham

The philosophy of Forest Schools Education is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through long term and regular positive outdoor experiences, led by a qualified Forest School Practitioner, in a learner led environment.

By participating in a range of experiences in a woodland environment, each participant has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, sound emotional and social skills as well as aspirational and reflective approaches to life .

These, through self-awareness, can be developed to reach our personal potential and to be part of a community which can define and develop itself.

Forest Schools have demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through play, have the opportunity to learn through and about the natural environment, how to handle risks and, most importantly, to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others, thus forming communities.

Forest School programmes run throughout the year across all Key Stages.

Forest Schools aims to develop:

• Self Awareness

• Self-Regulation

• Intrinsic motivation

• Empathy

• Good social communication skills

• Independence

• A positive mental attitude, self-esteem and confidence