Forest School

Mrs Bradley and Mrs McAdam are our proud Forest School leaders here at Bidston Village. They’re passionate about giving children the chance to connect with nature, build confidence, and develop resilience through outdoor learning from our 2 year olds up to year 6. Forest School is such a special part of our curriculum — it allows pupils to explore, take risks, and learn through play and discovery in a natural setting. We love watching the children grow in independence and teamwork as they experience the joy and calm that come from spending time outdoors.   

Forest School at Bidston Village Primary School is a child-centred, inspirational learning process that supports holistic development through regular experiences in the outdoors. It promotes social, emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual growth in a safe, non-judgemental and nurturing environment. Forest School underpins our growth mindset approach by encouraging play, exploration and supported risk-taking, helping children to build confidence, self-esteem and resilience through learner-inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. Children are supported to solve problems, develop self-belief and learn from both success and challenge. Frequent opportunities for teamwork and collaboration enhance communication and social skills, ensuring all children are empowered to thrive as independent, reflective learners.

Forest School sessions take place regularly within our outdoor learning environments, Luke’s Garden and the school field. They are led by Mrs Bradley, our trained Forest School Lead, Miss McAdam and supporting staff. Children in EYFS and our resource bases have regular access to Forest School experiences throughout the year. Children Year 1 to Year 6 take part in a block of Forest School during the year, ensuring all pupils benefit from high-quality outdoor learning. Sessions follow established Forest School principles and are carefully planned while remaining child-led, allowing pupils the freedom to explore, investigate and challenge themselves through hands-on activities such as den building, safe tool use, fire safety, nature exploration and collaborative problem-solving tasks. Opportunities for teamwork, communication and reflection are built into every session, and the calming influence of nature is used purposefully to support wellbeing, focus and engagement.

Forest School has a positive and lasting impact on pupils at Bidston Village Primary School. Children demonstrate improved confidence, resilience and independence, alongside stronger communication skills and more positive peer relationships. Regular outdoor learning supports mental health by reducing stress and promoting mindfulness, while increased physical activity contributes to overall wellbeing. Pupils develop a strong sense of environmental responsibility and sustainable habits, which extend beyond the Forest School setting. These experiences help create motivated, balanced learners who are better equipped with the personal and social skills needed for success in school and beyond.

EYFS Areas of Learning

Forest School strongly supports all areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Through regular outdoor exploration, children develop Personal, Social and Emotional Development by building confidence, resilience and positive relationships. Physical Development is enhanced through climbing, balancing, tool use and large-scale movement. Communication and Language is promoted through collaborative play, storytelling and discussion. Children deepen their Understanding of the World by exploring nature, seasonal change and living things, while opportunities for Expressive Arts and Design arise through imaginative play, natural materials and creative problem-solving. Early Mathematics skills are developed naturally through counting, measuring, pattern-making and spatial awareness during outdoor activities.

National Curriculum Links

For pupils in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, Forest School enriches learning across the National Curriculum. It supports Science through first-hand investigation of plants, animals, habitats and environmental change. Geography skills are developed through map use, fieldwork, observation of the local environment and an understanding of sustainability. Design and Technology is strengthened through planning, building and evaluating structures and solutions using natural materials and tools. PSHE and Citizenship are embedded through teamwork, resilience, risk awareness, cooperation and emotional wellbeing. Forest School also enhances Physical Education by promoting stamina, coordination and healthy lifestyles, while offering meaningful opportunities for speaking, listening and vocabulary development across subjects.

We scooped seeds and made a bird feeder with mealworms in. - F2

We used cup and string to hand our bird feeder in the trees for the birds to eat it. -F2

We collected and used sticks as a team to create structures for Benji Bear like beds and chairs. - Y2

We created rainbows from leaves and twigs, it was so much fun! - Y2

I love forest school because we can get dirty and it doesn’t matter. – Y3

I like it because we do lots of different types of activities like digging in the mud, making fire and looking at worms. – Y3

I like forest school because there are lots of activities and every time we have a session it gets better and better. – Y3

It feels like we are in the stone age. – Y3

We do fun activities that we don’t get to do in school normally. – Y3

I like working with my friends and doing fun things together. – Y3

I like the songs we sing. – Y3