INTRODUCTION
Duchy College Forest School
Duchy College is at the forefront of an exciting initiative called "Forest School".
The Forest School programmes are tailored to meet the individual needs of participants, taking into account their stage of development and learning style. The programmes are as far as possible, learner led, to capitalise on their interests and to promote a sense of ownership. Forest school activities develop practical and intellectual skills which can be linked to both the National and Foundation stage curriculum.
About
The Forest school approach is focused on helping to develop
personal, social and emotional skills such as self discovery, confidence and
independence as well as encouraging communication skills and raising self esteem.
The Forest School concept developed in Scandinavia in the 1950s and was intended originally as a means to teach about the natural world and environmental issues. By the 1980s Forest school had become a significant part of the preschool programme promoting and reinforcing early years education through learning from experience.
Why Forest School?
The Forest School ethos focuses on raising emotional awareness ,
developing confidence, encouraging independence and provides
opportunities for active outdoor play and discovery.
The provision of stimulating, exciting activities that are memorable to children and adults alike promote ‘deep level' learning experiences and communication skills. This enhances the development of personal and interpersonal skills including how we interact with each other, emotional literacy, creativity, flexibility, problem solving and listening skills.
