Our emphasis at our sessions, whether they are during school time, at an afterschool club or during full days at holiday camps is always on children leading the way. This empowers them to direct their own learning in fun ways which enable them to discover what excites them, explore their interests and play in a way that suits them rather than being prescribed what they should do and how they should do it. We believe this supports their independence as well as enabling them to quickly gain or hone skills such as confidence, resilience, perseverance and communication. Read more about the value of free play and how it benefits child development here.
The Green Planet team prepares for sessions by setting up stations or situations such as for whittling, fire lighting, campfire cooking, shelter building, crafting, tree climbing, construction using tools, and supports children on whichever activity they choose to explore. In order to fully appreciate the range of fun activities on offer, a very detailed list of those activities and their benefit to child development can be found here. Of course all of this goes on in a woodland area giving access to nature which itself is both a great educator and an amazing place to play.
The Green Planet Forest School team welcomes children from any primary school in any area, with any level of ability. Children with SEN needs are not only welcome and well catered for, they traditionally excel in this environment. If your child usually has 1:1 support during schooltime or if you are unsure about booking your child for any reason, please contact us directly for a chat about how we can support them at Forest School.
A great deal of effort goes in to making sure your children are safe both physically and emotionally at our Forest School sessions. There is a great deal of development potential in children taking risks, physical risks like learning to stand up and walk or emotional risks like learning to meet new people and experience new things for example, our highly trained, qualified and experienced team ensure that any risks are minimal and rewards are maximum. Our risk assessment policy document is available on request, just contact us and we’ll be happy to share it or discuss it further.
All sessions are led by a qualified Forest School Leader and the team are all safeguarding and paediatric first aid trained. Executive Director Alex (Mr Mud) is also a children’s mental health ambassador and teaches children practices such as mindfulness and grounding to support their mental wellbeing and help them deal with challenges they may face.
At all times of the year closed shoes, long trousers and long sleeves are the minimum. This reduces the chances of injury from brambles, nettles and insect bites. We also recommend sending spare clothes which can be used to layer up if the weather turns cold or be used to replace wet clothes should we experience rain or splash a little too hard in muddy puddles.
During the colder Autumn and Winter months sessions do still go ahead in almost all weather conditions [more here] and so to keep everyone warm and toastie we have some specific recommendations for clothing and footwear which is covered in this post.
We welcome any child from any school either locally or further afield, from reception to year 8. This means siblings or friends who attend different schools can attend together.
Yes you can. Find us in the directory by searching ‘Forest School’. You will find us as Green Planet or S4A at Buckingham Primary School & Whaddon School during the longer holidays (Summer and Easter).
Please send your child with a hearty lunch and plenty of snacks as they will burn lots of energy outdoors playing all day. Please note that all settings are nut free.
(This is also the onsite contact number for our holiday clubs)
