ABOUT US

Our team includes Forest School Leaders and Forest School Assistants. All Leaders have a First Aid Qualification (Outdoor & Paediatric First Aid) and all staff hold an enhanced DBS certificate. We also have Bucks County Council approved mini bus drivers on our team.

From the students of Hughenden Primary School.

At St. Albert the Great Catholic Primary School, we are fortunate to have, not only a new and bespoke school building, but also a superb outdoor area. This includes a fantastic spinney, which is home to our ‘Forest School’.

We are delighted to partner with ‘Chiltern Forest Schools’ to provide weekly opportunities for our pupils to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in our woodland.

Led by qualified Forest School practitioners, our pupils take part in a range of inspirational activities from shelter building and woodland crafts, to cooking on open fires.
Our ‘Forest School’ perfectly complements our whole school focus on ‘learning powers’, allowing the children to take supported risks and become resilient, independent and creative learners.

In addition, our pupils have the opportunity to take part in regular outdoor activities at lunch-time, as part of our ‘Forest School Friday’ initiative.
‘In 2011, UNICEF, asked children what they needed to be happy, and the top three things were time (particularly with families), friendships and yearningly, ‘outdoors’. Studies show that when children are allowed unstructured play in nature, their sense of freedom, independence and inner strength all thrive, and children surrounded by nature are not only less stressed but also bounce back from stressful events more readily.’

‘KITH, The Riddle of the Childscape’ by Jay Griffiths’

Important Information

Many people believe that there is no such thing as ‘bad weather’ only ‘the wrong clothing’. Our Forest School sessions and events run in all weathers (the only weather that may put a stop to sessions are lightening and extremely high wind. In order to have a positive experience, children need to be dressed appropriately, so old, inexpensive clothes are most suitable. These guidelines should help:

  • Waterproof Jacket – essential in autumn, winter & spring but useful all year round.
  • Waterproof trousers – essential in autumn, winter & spring but useful all year round.
  • All-in-one waterproofs are very useful, especially for younger children.
  • Layers – more in winter (3 or 4 is fine – 2 isn’t enough!) e.g. Vest, T-shirt (long sleeved), long sleeved jumper / hoody, coat/ waterproof jacket.
  • Long trousers (shorts are not appropriate due to the nature of the woodland, with stinging and scratching hazards).
  • Wellies / other waterproof boots (2 pairs of socks in winter), strong shoes / trainers available for all seasons.
  • Wooly hat (much heat is lost from the head).
  • Gloves, preferably waterproof (extremities do get cold in winter).
  • Spare socks.
  • Sun screen / sun hat (in summer).

We have a duty of care for your child and we make every attempt to ensure that they are dressed appropriately (using spare resources where possible). However we will not be able to take children if they are inadequately dressed.

Leaders hold an outdoor paediatric first-aid qualification and carry a well equipped first-aid kit.

If you have any concerns then please contact us where we will be pleased to discuss them with you.

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