Welcome to Forest School
At St Katharine’s, we’re proud to offer a rich Forest School programme led by our dedicated Forest School Leader, Chris Early within our school grounds. Chris brings a wealth of enthusiasm, and a deep passion for outdoor learning, creating a space where children can explore, take risks, and connect with the natural world in meaningful ways. Through hands-on activities such as den building, fire lighting, tool use, and nature-based crafts, children develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of independence. Our Forest School sessions encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and a love of the outdoors—all while supporting wellbeing and nurturing curiosity. Under Chris’s guidance, the woods become an extension of the classroom, where learning is active, adventurous, and full of discovery.
A session in the forest
A typical Forest School session at St Katharine’s begins with a walk to our on-site woodland area, where children gather around the fire circle for a welcome and safety reminder led by our Forest School Leader, Chris Early. The session might start with a group activity—such as a nature scavenger hunt, building bug hotels, or storytelling under the trees—before children are given time to explore and choose their own challenges. Some might build dens using branches and rope, while others try whittling sticks with peelers or creating natural art from leaves and clay. There’s often a chance to toast something over the fire, like popcorn or marshmallows, which adds to the excitement. Throughout the session, children are encouraged to take safe risks, work together, and follow their own interests—all while developing confidence, independence, and a deep connection with nature. The session ends with reflection time, where the group shares what they’ve enjoyed or learned before heading back to school, muddy, happy, and full of stories.
The Forest is for EVERYONE!
We provide outdoor learning and forest school opportunities for all year groups for up to 6 weeks each year
Our youngest children, in Year R (Hedgehogs), visit forest school every week from term 2 onwards.
Forest School links closely to both the PE National Curriculum for Key Stages 1 and 2 and the Early Learning Goals in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), supporting physical development in a holistic, active, and engaging way.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Early Learning Goals:
In Forest School, children develop their gross and fine motor skills, key components of the Physical Development early learning goal. Activities such as climbing trees, balancing on logs, digging, carrying natural materials, and using tools help build strength, coordination, and control. Forest School also encourages independence, perseverance, and spatial awareness, all vital for early physical development. The open-ended nature of outdoor play supports self-confidence and risk management, which are central to the Characteristics of Effective Learning.
Key Stage 1 PE National Curriculum:
Forest School enhances the KS1 PE aim of developing fundamental movement skills by giving children opportunities to run, jump, climb, balance, and coordinate movements in varied and unpredictable outdoor environments. Activities such as den building, obstacle navigation, and active games build agility, balance, and coordination, while team challenges and cooperative play help children engage in competitive and cooperative physical activities.
Key Stage 2 PE National Curriculum:
For KS2, Forest School supports the development of more advanced physical competence and confidence through tasks like using tools safely, knot-tying, navigating woodland trails, and building more complex structures. These activities promote teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, all of which align with the PE curriculum’s goal of encouraging children to evaluate and improve their own and others’ performance. Additionally, Forest School fosters an active lifestyle and a lifelong appreciation for outdoor physical activity, contributing to pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing.
In all stages, Forest School offers a powerful, natural complement to PE by encouraging movement with purpose, developing real-world physical skills, and nurturing the whole child through active learning.