'Let Your Light Shine'
Matthew 5:16

Welcome to Forest School at St Peter's C.E. Primary School

At St. Peter’s, our vision is for children to, ‘Let their light shine.’  We are blessed with fantastic school grounds, including our own woodland, that we use to further the learning experiences for our children in the great outdoors.  We want to offer children experiences in our woodland where they can begin to make a lifelong connection with nature. 

Forest School is about learning and growing in nature. Our children get to learn in different ways, such as through play and exploring. They are given lots of opportunities to try new things, ask questions and find their own answers, take risks, be hands-on and find out what they are interested in.  They develop a sense of who they are, connect with others, and feel proud of what they achieve. This kind of learning helps them feel good about themselves and their abilities. 

We are proud of all the children at our school and love that Forest School gives them yet another opportunity to, ‘Let their light shine.’

Forest School Principles and Criteria for Good Practice

The Forest School ethos has 6 principles:

Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.