Intent:

• At St Mary’s Primary School, we intend to deliver a Forest School curriculum which develops pupils’ learning, knowledge and skills. 
• We intend to design a Forest school curriculum which offers a progression of Forest School skills but also links to other subjects across the National Curriculum and deepens learning in these subjects by offering an outdoors approach to learning. 
• We intend to provide a balanced and broad curriculum which promotes development of confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, physical skills and knowledge and understanding of our natural surroundings. 

Implementation:

• Clear and comprehensive Forest School progression. 
• Delivery of Forest School follows a clear structure. Each year group will undertake shelter building, development of geographical skills, scientific skills, outdoor and adventurous activities, Design and Technology, Art and Design, fire building, using tools, knot tying and play and exploration all through Forest School. 
• Each year group will take part in Forest School and learn a progression of Forest School based skills using a range of tools and techniques. 
• A range of skills will be taught ensuring that children are able to take risks but are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.
• Clear and appropriate cross curricular links to underpin learning in multiple areas across the curriculum giving the children opportunities to learn life skills and apply skills to ‘hands on’ situations in a purposeful context.
• Independent learning: In forest school, children may well be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently. This allows the children to have ownership over their curriculum and lead their own learning in outdoor activities.
• Collaborative learning: In forest school lessons, children may well be asked to work as part of a team learning to support and help one another towards a challenging, yet rewarding goal.

Impact:

• Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in learning outdoors through Forest School.
• Children will have a stronger understanding of Forest school skills as well as deepening learning from across the curriculum. They will be able to  demonstrate this knowledge when using tools or skills in Forest School, other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school.
• Children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.