Alleyn's Junior School on Forest School immersion

Getting outdoors to build skills, confidence and independence in a natural environment is a regular part of life at Alleyn’s Junior School. We speak to Forest School Teacher Heather Sandham to find out how this works and why it is such a valuable and creative learning environment

How does Forest School work at Alleyn’s and how is your Forest School space designed?
At Alleyn’s Junior School, Forest School is a fundamental part of our commitment to holistic, lifelong learning. Our reception children experience regular sessions in our dedicated outdoor space where activities are open-ended, often using natural materials and the environment itself as a springboard for creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

We are in a fortunate position where we are further upgrading our outdoor space to best benefit our pupils. The space itself will be carefully designed to reflect the six core principles of Forest School: it is a wooded, natural environment that promotes supported risk-taking, independent exploration, and learner-led discovery.

Alleyn's Junior School on Forest School immersion — Learning outside at Alleyn’s Junior School happens in all seasons and principles it teaches are threaded through classroom learning

One of the ideas behind Forest School is to take learning and observation outside, so how do you then build its principles and practices back into classroom learning and the school day?
The values of Forest School – independence, responsibility, problem-solving, and resilience – don’t end when the session finishes. We consciously thread these principles through our classroom learning and they are seen in our seven learning dispositions Reflection is a key component of Forest School, and we continue this practice back in the classroom to support emotional literacy and self-awareness.

The autonomy and confidence pupils develop outside help them to approach academic tasks with greater initiative, curiosity, and perseverance. Forest School also reinforces our digital balance. While pupils engage with technology through our digital literacy programme and understand the wider effects of AI through our AiQ curriculum, we ensure they also ‘switch off’ and reconnect with the natural world, building focus and ensuring wellbeing.

What do you see as Forest School’s chief benefits for children?
Forest School fosters growth in every sense – emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically. It is a unique environment, one in which children are the main decision makers, risk takers and are ultimately in control of their learning. Forest School builds confidence, resilience and self-regulation, and the unpredictable nature of being outdoors also teaches flexibility and encourages creative thinking.

Children become more aware of their environment and their responsibilities within it – towards nature, their peers, and themselves. Ultimately, it equips them with skills that extend far beyond the woods.

How do Alleyn’s pupils react to their outdoor learning time and freedoms?
Generally, pupils embrace Forest School with enthusiasm. Of course, as with anything unknown, some children take time to adapt to a new environment and find the prospect of making choices challenging. However, with guidance (both from adults and peers), pupils engage positively and enjoy the chance to lead their own learning. Pupils rise to the challenge of navigating risk, solving problems, and making decisions.

Whether guiding a blindfolded partner through a sensory trail or constructing a den from natural materials, they show immense pride in their achievements, which become more group orientated rather than individualised. Their joy in the freedom to play, explore, and create is palpable, and we often see how this confidence carries through into other areas of their school life.

What is parents’ perspective on the outdoor learning, play and fresh air that this provides?
Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of Forest School and value its role in balancing the digital demands of modern life. As screen time becomes increasingly prevalent, many families are looking for ways to help their children disconnect and re-engage with the real world.

Forest School provides exactly that: a grounding, mindful space that promotes well-being and healthy habits. Parents often comment on the positive impact Forest School has on their child’s mood, focus, and their enthusiasm for school.