Ferney Lee Primary School

“The best kept classroom and the richest cupboard are roofed only by the sky.”
Margaret McMillan (c1925).

Forest School

We have been committed to Forest School here at Ferney Lee for many years, believing that by investing in Forest School we are valuing each unique child. The difference and the uniqueness that sets Forest School apart from Outdoor learning is the focus on the whole child and their development over a long term process- as opposed to learning a specific adult initiated outcome, outdoors. Our qualified Forest School Leaders work across the school, from our very youngest children in Nursery all the way through to Year 6.

We find that Forest School enables us to see what a child needs next in order to grow as a learner. Through learner led exploration and careful observation, we gain an invaluable insight into the way in which a child learns; their motivation, their sense of self, their ability to communicate their ideas and collaborate with others, to name a few. We are often surprised by what we see, reminding us that the child we see in the classroom is only one part of the child. Our in-house Forest School provision provides a platform for us to support children to transfer their growth, skills and knowledge back into the classroom. These meaningful experiences can impact positively on all areas of learning and produce lifelong benefits.