Speen School is a recognised Forest School Provider by the Forest School Association, with fully qualified Forest School staff. We believe that every child should experience life beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstance. We utilise two forest schools sites, one within school grounds and an area of woodland close to the school. All children in the school attend forest school sessions in all weathers!

Forest School Ethos

Forest School gives children the space, time and opportunity to learn through first hand experience within a woodland setting. It gives them the chance to develop their curiosity, respect, self-esteem and confidence. It is based on an understanding that children have innate capacity to instigate, test and maintain curiosity in the world around them. Speen School gives all children the opportunity to play and create in the vibrant reality of God's world. Through Forest School the children experience a healthy range of emotions, face the challenges and joys of social interaction, assess risk and build resilience. 

The Forest School ethos is based on 6 key principles:

1. Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits. The cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
2. Forest School takes place in a natural or woodland environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
3. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.