Children who attend Thorndon School are fortunate to have the opportunity to spend over 300 hours at Forest School during their time from Reception to Year 6. 

Forest School is a child-centred approach to learning outdoors, which for us takes place in a local woodland within walking distance from the school. Here, children can play, explore and learn at their own pace and in their own ways. This is supported by Gemma Snape, a Level 3 Forest School practitioner who leads all of our sessions down at Willow Fen Forest School. 

During sessions at Forest School, you may find children:

• climbing trees
• using tools
• lighting fires
• cooking
• getting muddy
• bug hunting
• inventing games

and so, so much more. 

Through taking part in these activities for themselves, the children develop independence, confidence and creativity which they take back with them into the classroom and their wider lives. At the end of ever year, it is always fascinating to see how the children have grown through their experiences in the woods.