At St Pius X, we firmly believe in the benefits of the Forest School approach and the highly positive impact it can have on the learning and development of our pupils. Research has shown that outdoor learning provides children with the opportunities to explore, experiment and learn in context. It enables children to develop their problem solving abilities communication and resilience - skills we believe is essential to support in all areas of learning. Forest School allows all children to take risks, grow in self-confidence and provides them with an increased knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for scientific enquiry and geographical skills and fieldwork.

Forest School is rooted in one of our core values at St Pius X Catholic Primary School, Service. As the inspiring representative of Service, David Attenborough, stated:

“If children grow up not knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it, and if they don’t understand it, they won’t protect it, and if they don’t protect it, who will?”

We believe that this is another way to educate children about our natural world and therefore enable them to better protect it. 

These are a few examples of the types of activities that the Forest School curriculum offers:

· Whittling

· Using a palm drill to make conker caterpillars

· Making Hapazome (Japanese leaf art)

· Working as a team to build dens

· Identifying wildlife including several trees

· Bug hunting

· Creating tasty treats in the mud kitchen

· Climbing on the rope walk

· Learning all about the fire triangle

· Safely toasting marshmallows on the fire