Forest School

Forest School Learning

We follow the Chartham Progression of Skills Document (please click the link below to view it), which focuses on specific areas of practical learning, the development of physical and personal skills, and an understanding of the World around us, through:

Teamwork,
Tool Use,
Fire Safety,
Confidence & Self-Esteem,
Shelter Building & Knots,
Metacognitive Development & Child Led Enquiry,
Environmental Awareness,
Nature Connection,
Geography & Navigation,
and we’re hoping to extend our Cooking Skills outdoors too!

Across the term we strive to ensure we allow the children the opportunity to take part in varied activities that help meet these criteria.

This is a working document and is always subject to alteration and development.

Forest School Policy / Curriculum

Please click on the buttons below to read our forest school policy and curriculum:

Forest School Policy

Forest School Progression of Skills

Forest School Clothing

The Children will get dusty and muddy, so if there is a morning class scheduled, please come to school dressed in forest school clothes and bring school uniform in a bag to change into after.

Old clothes are best, or anything you don’t mind getting stained! Waterproofs are perfect in wet weather, and something warm when the temperature drops.

Spare socks are a must!

Long sleeves and trousers are the safest as even in summer, they protect against stings, ticks, and scratches, campfire spitting, and in Winter months, it is essential to be dressed warmly.

Layers are essential! Vest, t shirt, thin jumper, thick jumper, coat - it doesn't matter if they are last years, a charity shop find, hand me downs, or proper outdoor clothing from a retailer! Wellies are brilliant at keeping socks dry, and rain = mud all year round!

Hats on clear hot days help protect against sun stroke, and sunscreen is essential on faces and napes. Covering legs and arms is the most effective!

Location

At Chartham we have 3 Forest School Sites that offer slightly different environments and therefore different learning opportunities.

All sites are under constant development and maintenance by the Forest School Team

The Wildlife Garden

This site has a large pond, an area of saplings, and access to a small piece of mature woodland. There is a basecamp, a mud kitchen, a dig pit, and space for areas of learning that focus a lot on nature and nature connection.

Under the Trees

This site is beneath a canopy of mature trees and is the only site with a slope! It also has a mud kitchen, dig pit, and a dedicated wildlife area complete with a small pond and a hide. This site lends itself to lots of physical activity and development.

The Copse

This site is hidden away from view in a cluster of trees. It is the biggest by virtue of being able to incorporate different areas of the school field as and when required. This site has a mud kitchen, dig pit, small pond, and mature trees too.

A peek at what Forest School opportunities provide for Chartham children

Past Learning at our Forest Schools

Stay & Play

In Terms 1, 2, 5 & 6 we aim to have Toddler Stay & Play Sessions for local families to attend. These have been popular and very useful to the toddlers who attend and have grown up ready to attend Chartham Themselves!

Term 1 weekly sessions commence on Wednesday 10th September 2025 and run for six weeks. Please contact the school if you are interested in a place.

Social Media

We never put children’s faces on Social Media but activities can be seen via Facebook, Instagram, and tiktok videos, and photos on this site. Please look for Chartham Forest School on your preferred platform and give us a follow!

Celebration!

At the end of each term we celebrate all things Forest School with treats, and if it is safe to do so, a campfire.

We offer Hot Chocolate (plus a vegan alternative), biscuits (plus a Dairy Free, Gluten Free option), and Marshmallows (again there is a vegan option).

Sometimes there is a substitute but we always aim to accommodate the dietary requirements of a class.

It is important that parents/carers keep the school up-to-date regarding allergies and diets as this information is passed on to us.

If the Forest School Leader feels that it would be unsafe to have an open fire then the treats are provided without the campfire to ensure the safety of all.

We make charcoal ink to write with

We enjoy learning through books

We make patterns out of natural objects

We work together to make bigger pictures

We explore the geology of Chartham

We enjoy all Seasons & all weathers

We learn the chemistry of mixing

We love a bit of building with bricks

We engineer gutters to carry tennis balls

We create bridges & tunnels

We design, balance, and build with sticks

We discover the plantlife in our environment

We meet our smallest neighbours

We create spaces for Wildlife

We discover what is in our pond

We capture visitors on our night cam

We learn to use tools safely

We learn to use tools independently

Learn to look after our tools

We learn that each tool has a purpose

We work together to get the job done

We enjoy quiet time alone in nature

We challenge ourselves to do something new

We spend time with our friends

We learn to judge risks and be safe

We strengthen our immune system

We learn to plan ahead & follow rules

We build our muscles and our confidence

We have the opportunity to see things close up

We take part in citizen science observations

We face a few fears
(Grass snake)

And we learn

Forest School Association

Please click on the Forest School Association title to link to their video of what is Forest School?

At Chartham we aim our practice to meet this criteria as closely as we possibly can!

The Long-Term
Principle

Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

The Nature Principle

Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world