Each term one of our classes experiences a 6 week block of forest school off site at Oakham Farm Park. These sessions are led by forest school leaders. The children get to take part in a wide variety of child led activities. Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Children report that they love the freedom provided through the philosophy of Forest School and the opportunity to explore new outdoor experiences, they enjoy taking risks, team building and being outdoors in all weathers.

Forest School has a developmental ethos shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the world, who are constantly developing their learning styles and skills to support new and imaginative learners. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, friluftsliv, or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began. It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then.

More information can be found on the website : – https://forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/

Outdoor learning

At English Martyrs we provide opportunities for children to learn outdoors from Early Years through to year 6. The children use our school outdoor learning environment to enhance their learning across the curriculum and provide new opportunities.

The pond area has recently being developed with a legacy fund of over £2000 collected from our past year 6 pupils. Decking has already gone on the side of the pond, and we now have a timber framed classroom structure situated by the pond to help support future learning of new knowledge and skills in areas such as science and geography.