Woodlands Forest School
Derby
“The ethos of Forest Schools is to allow children the time and space to develop skills,
their interest and understanding through a range of activities which provide practical, hands-on experiences in a natural environment.
The Forest School ethos is embedded in our Forest School Policy.”

Small but packed with exciting experiences

The Woodlands Forest School offers a great place for children to explore, engage and discover nature.

Our Forest school trained team will nurture your budding explorers they will learn bush craft skills, such as whittling sticks, making potions and lotions and den making.

They will experience the delights of cooking round the campfire, toasting marshmallows and hot chocolate on chilly winter days.

How did Forest Schools come to the UK?

In 1993 a group of nursery nurses at Bridgwater College, Somerset, visited Denmark to look at the pre-school system. The open air culture (‘frulitsliv’) is seen as a way of life in Scandinavia and permeates early years education. The Bridgewater nursery nurses returned enthused by the largely outdoor, child-centred/play-based pedagogy employed by the Danish pre-school pedagogues. They started their own ‘Forest School’ with children attending the college creche. They observed children, watching their own creativity blossom and ‘scaffolded’ skills and ideas. Their entire practise was impacted as a result.

A Brief History

Forest School in the UK may seem a fairly new movement. In reality it is based on a rich heritage of outdoor learning going back at least to the 19th century. Philosophers, naturalists and educators in Europe and the UK such as Wordsworth, Ruskin, Baden Powell, Leslie Paul (who founded the Woodcraft Folk in 1925), Kurt Hahn (who founded Gordonstone and was the inspiration for our first outdoor education centres), Susan Isaacs and the Macmillan sisters all laid the foundations for what is known as Forest School today. During the 1970s and 80s our education system moved toward a more teacher/outcome-centred approach in an attempt to improve numeracy and literacy, in particular, and we had the introduction of the national curriculum. Somewhat in response to this, there was a growth of ‘alternative’ educational models in the 1990s and it is in this context that Forest School emerged.

Who we are !

Jennifer
Forest School Assistant
Working towards Level 3

My name is Jenny and I work with the Woodlanders. I’m currently training for my Forest School Level 3 qualification and am Outdoor First Aid trained. I joined the Woodlands in April and love engaging with the children, watching them discover, explore and grow! I find it such a rewarding job and have worked with children in the outdoor environmental education sector for nearly 8 years, as well as working practically on countryside parks.

I live in Chesterfield and love going for long walks, going running, exploring new places and going away in our Shepherd’s hut! When I’m back home visiting family in the north east I love going to the beach and having fun with my nieces and nephews, surfing and of course eating fish and chips!

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Amy and Alex Twitching

Alex

Forest School Assistant

NVQ Level 3 Childcare and Education

Paediatric First Aid

Training NVQ Level 2 Forest School course

My name is Alex and i joined the nursery, as an apprentice, in the baby unit in 2007.

I have mainly worked with the under twos but in 2017 I moved into the Owls group for new challenge. I am the nursery SENCO ensuring all the children needs are met and supporting staff.

I have recently joined the outdoor nursery team and I really enjoy the freedom that gives children to learn and grow.

In my spare time I like travelling and exploring the world, my favourite places being Italy, Abu Dhabi and America.

I also love being active and keeping fit.

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Amy
Forest School Leader
Level 3

Hi my name is Amy, I have worked at the Woodlands Nursery for 16 years! I have an NVQ level three in childcare and have recently qualified as a Level Three Forest School Leader including first aid. I have a seven year old son and together we like to go on lots of adventures exploring the outdoors! My hobbies are anything that my son is interested in! But when I do have time I love to go running and play netball.

I am passionate about childcare and in particular outdoor education.I have been able to see first hand how much fresh air and freedom to explore and learn, benefits children physically, emotionally and intellectually

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