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Forest School

Welcome to Forest School at South Lee Prep School & Nursery — where nature inspires learning, builds skills, and nurtures young minds from Nursery to Year 8.

Originating in Scandinavia, the Forest School concept is gaining popularity within the UK schools. At South Lee, we have established a thriving Forest School program, recognising the huge benefits it offers for children's holistic development through immersive, nature-based learning. 

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Beyond the benefits of outdoor exposure, Forest School cultivates children's practical building skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork, while fostering a profound connection with nature, ecosystems, and sustainability. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in boosting their self-confidence and self-esteem. 

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Our school boasts a spacious, dedicated Forest School area with three distinct sections and two outdoor classrooms. What sets us apart from most other schools is that children at South Lee Prep School & Nursery benefit from the Forest School experience from Nursery all the way through to Year 8. 

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Forest School seeks to inspire and engage children of all ages through enriching outdoor experiences, fostering sensory exploration and freedom. 

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In this sessions, we aim to nurture: 

  • Self-awareness

  • Self-regulation

  • Intrinsic motivation

  • Empathy

  • Communication skills

  • Independence

  • A positive mental attitude, self-esteem and confidence

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Our Forest School activities, led by a qualified Forest School Leader, take place within the school grounds. Activities encompass creating 'Muddy Faces,' enjoying the 'Mud Kitchen,' and crafting 'Animal Shelters.'

Forest School Curriculum

Michaelmas Term

EYFS & Pre-Prep

  • Mini beast hunt

  • Clay owls

  • Story landscapes

  • Worm farms

  • Birds nest

  • Clay faces

  • Stick mobiles

  • Painting wooden discs

  • Sticky back nature plates

  • Animal homes and creations

  • Frozen nature/potions

  • Nature crowns

  • Giant bubbles

  • Clay impressions

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Prep

  • Mini beast hunt

  • Stick towers

  • Clay owls

  • Story landscapes

  • Worm farms

  • Icarus challenge

  • Whittling and toasting marshmallows

  • Stick mobiles

  • Den building

  • Story sticks

  • Trust challenge

  • Root investigations

  • Ancients of the wood

  • Leaf activities/seed explorers

Spring Term

EYFS, Pre-Prep & Prep

  • Leaf/bark rubbing to find natural patterns

  • Clay impressions

  • Mini and large den building

  • Building towers from sticks, bricks and stone

  • Nature mobiles

  • Disc/stone painting

  • Giant bubbles

  • Nature dreamcatchers

  • Planting sunflowers

  • Easter garden

  • Planting vegetables

Summer Term

EYFS & Pre-Prep

  • Leaf/bark rubbing to find natural patterns

  • Building towers from sticks, stones and bricks

  • Nature weaving and making dreamcatchers

  • Building bird feeders

  • Floating nature (pinecones)

  • Mini beast hunt

  • Fairy bells

  • Muddy faces

  • Duplication game

  • Wishing tree

  • Clay play

  • Giant bubbles

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Prep

  • Stick frames

  • Building towers from sticks, stones and bricks

  • Nature weaving and making dreamcatchers

  • Building bird feeders

  • Whittling and cooking s'mores

  • Trust exercises

  • Fairy bells

  • Making hot chocolate

  • Creating a cairn

  • Wishing tree

  • Clay play

  • Creating a labyrinth

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