Implementing Forest School Principles Workbook

Implementing Forest School Principles in Your Setting

Want to bring the benefits of Forest School into your setting, but don't have access to specialist training or a dedicated woodland site?

Implementing Forest School Principles in Your Setting is a 34 page practical guide designed to help educators take achievable steps towards embedding Forest School-inspired practice into everyday outdoor learning.

Rather than providing a fixed programme of activities, this resource focuses on the principles, mindset and environment that make Forest School so valuable. It explores how small changes to adult practice, the outdoor environment and your approach to children's learning can create richer, more meaningful experiences outdoors.

Inside, you'll explore:

Understanding Forest School

• What Forest School-inspired practice means
• Exploring the key principles
• Reflecting on your current outdoor provision

Making meaningful changes

• The five biggest changes you can make
• Developing the role of the adult
• Creating an enabling outdoor environment

Embedding the approach

• Understanding risk-benefit
• Making the most of seasonal opportunities
• Engaging families
• Reflection and action planning

The guide encourages practitioners to move away from overly adult-directed outdoor activities and instead create opportunities for children to explore, investigate, take appropriate risks, solve problems, make choices and follow their own interests.

It is particularly useful for early years settings, nurseries, primary schools, childminders and practitioners who want to develop their outdoor provision but may not have access to a specialist Forest School site or training.

A thoughtful starting point for settings wanting to make outdoor learning more child-led, purposeful and connected to nature.

Please note: this resource is designed to support Forest School-inspired practice and does not replace Forest School training or accreditation.