Forest School
Contact UsAt PE Sports Premium, we support schools in planning, developing, and delivering Forest School initiatives that align with curriculum goals while making the most of outdoor space across the UK.
Outdoor learning encourages problem-solving and teamwork, Forest School helps children build life skills in a natural setting.
Since many schools lack the resources to set up Forest School independently, we offer expert guidance, training, and site development to make it achievable.
Request your free Forest School quote today.
Can I Use PE Sport Premium Funding for Forest School Education?
Schools can use PE and Sport Premium funding for Forest School activities as long as the investment aligns with the Department for Education’s (DfE) guidance and directly supports the five key indicators of effective PE and sport provision.
Forest School can be a powerful tool to increase physical activity, promote active outdoor learning, and contribute to whole-child development.
Forest School provides regular opportunities for pupils to be physically active through outdoor, hands-on experiences.
Activities such as climbing, building, digging, balancing, and team games naturally increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and develop essential physical skills.
These sessions are inclusive, accessible, and beneficial for all ability levels, particularly supporting pupils who may not engage with traditional sports.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a child-centred, outdoor education programme that supports holistic development through regular sessions in natural environments.
Forest School encourages children to explore, take risks, and learn through hands-on experiences in woodland or outdoor settings.
Sessions are led by trained Forest School practitioners and focus on child-led learning.
Activities may include den building, fire lighting, tool use, nature exploration, and team games.
Learning is experiential, with a strong focus on personal development, resilience, and environmental awareness.
As the approach allows children to learn at their own pace, Forest School is widely used in EYFS, primary, and SEND settings across the UK.
Why is Forest School Important for Child Development?
Forest School supports social, emotional, and physical growth because the natural environment provides freedom, challenge, and opportunities for reflection.
Children build self-esteem through meaningful tasks that require focus and cooperation.
Risk-managed activities help develop confidence and problem-solving skills.
Time in nature improves well-being and supports attention, communication, and resilience.
Since learning happens organically, children become more independent, creative, and self-aware through regular outdoor experiences.
Where are Forest School Sessions Held?
Forest School sessions are usually held in woodland, forest edges, school grounds, or green spaces because natural environments offer a rich setting for discovery and skill-building.
Many schools have on-site wooded areas or develop nature corners with logs, shelters, and planting zones.
Sessions can also be held off-site in local woods or Forest School centres.
The space is risk-assessed and adapted to meet the needs of different groups.
As regular contact with the same outdoor area builds familiarity and ownership, Forest School takes place in the same natural setting over time.
Who can Participate in Forest School?
Forest School is suitable for children of all ages and abilities because activities are adapted to individual needs, interests, and developmental levels.
It is most commonly used in Early Years and Key Stage 1, but also benefits Key Stage 2, secondary, and SEND learners.
The child-led model supports those who may struggle in conventional classroom settings.
Mixed-age sessions promote peer mentoring and social development.
As the environment is inclusive, Forest School provides space for every learner to thrive.
How Often should Forest School Take Place?
Forest School works best as a regular programme because repeated contact with nature deepens learning and supports long-term growth.
Sessions are typically held weekly over half a term or longer.
Each session lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Consistent routines help children build familiarity and confidence in the outdoor setting.
As outdoor learning becomes embedded, the benefits carry over into classroom behaviour and overall wellbeing.
How much does Forest School Cost?
The average cost of Forest School is £5 to £15 per child for group sessions.
For schools or organisations booking regular Forest School sessions, costs typically range from £150 to £300 per half-day session led by a qualified Forest School practitioner.
A full-day Forest School session costs between £250 and £500, depending on the number of participants and the level of activities provided.
For individual enrolment in private Forest School programmes, parents can expect to pay around £20 to £40 per session, especially for specialist or weekend sessions.
Forest School costs also depend on factors such as equipment use, site hire, insurance, and staff-to-child ratios, which are kept low to ensure safety and quality learning experiences.
Speak to our team of specialists now to get a detailed cost estimate for your school.
What are the Benefits of Forest School for Schools and Pupils?
The main benefit of Forest School is that it supports holistic development through meaningful outdoor experiences because it combines physical activity, emotional growth, and cognitive engagement.
Benefits of Forest School include:
Increases self-confidence, independence, and self-regulation
Improves communication and teamwork skills
Encourages physical activity and coordination
Enhances connection with nature and environmental responsibility
Offers a calm, nurturing space that reduces anxiety and stress
Complements curriculum learning through exploration and inquiry
Supports inclusion by adapting activities to suit all learners
Do Forest School Sessions Follow the National Curriculum?
Forest School complements the National Curriculum rather than replacing it because it focuses on skills development, wellbeing, and experiential learning that support classroom outcomes.
Pupils improve teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through practical tasks.
Cross-curricular links can be made with science, literacy, maths, and geography.
Forest School promotes enquiry-based learning, curiosity, and resilience.
Because it nurtures key behaviours for learning, it strengthens the foundations needed for academic progress.
Can Forest School be Run in All Weather?
Forest School takes place in almost all weather conditions because embracing the outdoors is a key part of the experience.
Children are taught to dress appropriately for rain, cold, or sunshine.
Shelters and tarpaulins provide cover during poor weather.
Sessions are only postponed during high winds, thunderstorms, or extreme cold.
Because outdoor resilience is part of the learning, varied weather conditions are seen as opportunities, not obstacles.
Do Schools Need a Woodland Area to Run Forest School?
A full woodland isn’t essential because Forest School can be delivered in adapted school grounds or nearby green spaces.
Even small areas with trees, grass, and natural materials can be developed for Forest School use.
Raised beds, log circles, mud kitchens, and bug hotels help bring nature into school settings.
Some schools partner with local woods, nature reserves, or councils to access larger outdoor sites.
Since the focus is on regular, nature-based play and exploration, creative use of space makes Forest School widely accessible.
Do Forest School Sessions Involve Risky Activities?
Carefully managed risk is part of Forest School because it helps children build judgment, confidence, and responsibility.
Activities like fire lighting, tool use, and climbing are introduced progressively under strict supervision.
Risk assessments are completed for all activities and adapted to suit the age and needs of the group.
Children learn how to assess and manage risk themselves through guided experience.
As managing real-world challenges is key to personal development, this approach strengthens life skills.
Can Forest School Support Children with Additional Needs?
Forest School is highly inclusive because its child-led, sensory-rich environment benefits pupils with SEND, SEMH, and other needs.
Sessions are flexible and can be adapted for individual learning styles.
The outdoor setting reduces anxiety and allows non-verbal communication to flourish.
Children who struggle in structured classroom settings often thrive outdoors.
Since the approach is based on nurturing each child’s potential, it supports a wide range of learners.
Are Staff Required to be Trained to Run Forest School?
Forest School sessions should be led by a qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioner because this ensures safety, developmental appropriateness, and high-quality delivery.
Level 1 and 2 training is available for support staff or those assisting in sessions.
Many schools choose to fund in-house training for long-term sustainability.
Alternatively, external providers can be contracted to run sessions on-site.
Since experience and training directly impact outcomes, qualified delivery is essential.
How many Children can Join a Forest School Session?
Forest School sessions are typically delivered in small groups because this allows for high-quality support, supervision, and individualised learning.
Groups usually range from 8 to 15 children depending on their age and the ratio of adults to pupils.
Smaller groups allow for more meaningful engagement, especially during tool use or fire activities.
For larger classes, schools often rotate smaller groups across multiple sessions.
Since the programme focuses on personal development, group size directly supports learning outcomes.
Can Forest School be Delivered During Curriculum Time?
Forest School is often timetabled as part of the school day because it supports personal, social, and emotional development alongside physical activity.
Sessions can run weekly in the same slot across a half term or full term.
Some schools build Forest School into their outdoor learning timetable as a rotating activity.
Pupils benefit from regular outdoor time without reducing curriculum coverage.
Since it complements classroom learning, it can be part of a balanced and engaging school week.
What Equipment is Needed to Start a Forest School?
Forest School requires basic outdoor equipment and safety resources because sessions involve tool use, shelter building, and natural play.
Common items include fire pits, log seating, ropes, tarps, basic tools (e.g., peelers, saws), and nature-based activity kits.
Hi-vis jackets, first aid kits, and risk assessments are essential for safeguarding.
Pupils also need appropriate clothing, such as waterproofs and wellies.
Since the emphasis is on practical learning, resources are tailored to age and environment.
Can Forest School Support Emotional Regulation and Behaviour?
Forest School is widely recognised for its positive impact on emotional wellbeing because the natural setting encourages calmness, focus, and self-regulation.
The outdoor environment reduces sensory overload and provides space for movement.
The child-led approach fosters autonomy, which improves engagement and reduces frustration.
Many children with behavioural needs respond positively to the freedom and structure of Forest School.
As emotional literacy is developed through real experiences, it often leads to improved classroom behaviour.
Can Forest School Link to Eco-Schools or Environmental Education?
Forest School naturally aligns with sustainability and environmental education because pupils engage directly with nature and learn how to care for it.
Sessions often include wildlife identification, habitat care, recycling, and resource conservation.
Activities can support Eco-Schools topics such as biodiversity, school grounds, and healthy living.
Children gain a deeper appreciation for their local environment through active stewardship.
Since schools aim to embed environmental values, Forest School provides hands-on, meaningful learning.
How do we Measure the Impact of Forest School?
The impact of Forest School can be measured through pupil observation, behaviour tracking, and personal development milestones.
It targets holistic outcomes beyond academic scores.
Staff observe changes in confidence, teamwork, risk-taking, and independence.
Reflection journals, photos, or pupil voice can capture progress over time.
Some schools use wellbeing scales or social skills assessments before and after programmes.
As the outcomes are personal and behavioural, impact is best shown through regular, qualitative evidence.