insideKENT Magazine Issue 96 - March 2020 | Page 143

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FOREST SCHOOL AT BISHOP CHALLONER We are now moving into our third year of offering Forest School at Bishop Challoner and it continues to provide the most wonderful opportunities for our younger children to explore ‘The Great Outdoors.’ away in the winter months and then return resplendent in the spring and summer, giving a real sense of the seasons. Forest School is an innovative, educational approach to outdoor play and learning where children learn about the natural environment in a safe woodland setting in all weather and seasons. They are encouraged to handle risks and use their own initiative to solve problems and co- operate with others. They learn to be robust and resilient explorers, in control of their own learning. Our Forest School promotes environmental awareness and the need for sustainability. Children are taught about respect and responsibility for the world around them and encouraged to be aware of conservation issues. Under the careful guidance of our specialist teachers, children learn to use tools while ensuring the safety of both themselves and others. They learn about teamwork and resilience and are given the opportunity to direct their own learning and take risks. Our Forest School site is located in an old orchard, once belonging to Shortlands House. Fruit trees including cherry, apple and plum are present on the site and provide interesting fauna through the changing seasons. At Bishop Challoner we firmly believe that the skills and experiences offered by Forest School are highly transferable to the classroom and equip our pupils with confidence, self-awareness and a sense of independence from the youngest age. Visitors to the site include a rather timid badger, a friendly mouse, a robin and some rather noisy, but colourful parakeets. We have even been visited by a fox. You are very welcome to come and see Forest School at Bishop Challoner for yourself. www.bishopchallonerschool.com The children are able to observe the site over an academic year, watching life fade 143