Forest Schools: Why Outdoor Learning Is Becoming a Trend in England
Muddy boots, campfires, and climbing trees — welcome to Forest School. Across England, hundreds of primary and secondary schools are embracing a woodland-based approach to education that puts children back in touch with the natural world. But what exactly is a Forest School, and is it right for your child?
In this guide, we explore the origins of the Forest School movement, how it operates within (and alongside) mainstream English education, the evidence behind its benefits, and how you can get involved as a parent.
What Is a Forest School?
The Forest School approach originated in Scandinavia, particularly Denmark, where outdoor kindergartens ("udeskole") became mainstream in the 1950s. The concept arrived in England in the mid-1990s when a group of early years practitioners from Bridgwater College in Somerset visited Denmark and returned inspired.
Since then, the Forest School Association (FSA) — the professional body that sets standards in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland — has accredited thousands of leaders and established a clear framework for what a Forest School programme must include:
- Regularity: Sessions take place frequently and over a long period (a term or more), not as a one-off event
- Outdoor woodland setting: Takes place in a natural environment with trees, natural materials, and living ecosystems
- Learner-led: Children choose their own learning paths within a structured but flexible framework
- Qualified leader: All sessions led by an FSA-qualified Forest School leader (Level 3 qualification minimum)
- Holistic development: Aims to develop the whole child — emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development
- Risk-benefit approach: Calculated, managed risk is considered a positive and necessary part of learning
How Forest Schools Work Within the English Education System
Forest Schools are not a separate type of school in the Ofsted sense — most operate as programmes within mainstream state and independent schools, rather than as standalone institutions. Here's how the model typically works in an English school context:
Integration Models
| Model | How It Works | Common In |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly sessions | A class attends Forest School for one morning or afternoon per week, rotating across year groups | Primary schools with woodland access |
| Standalone Forest School nursery | A full nursery or pre-school that operates entirely outdoors in a woodland setting | Early years private settings |
| SEND-focused programme | Targeted sessions for pupils with SEND, EHCPs, or behavioural challenges — often as part of provision mapping | Special schools, PRUs, mainstream with SEND units |
| Holiday and after-school clubs | Paid or subsidised programmes run outside school hours, accessible to families | Urban and semi-rural areas |
What Pupils Actually Do in Forest School Sessions
Activities are always open-ended and driven by children's curiosity. Common Forest School activities you might see include:
- 🪵 Whittling and woodcrafts — carving wood with real knives under close supervision
- 🔥 Fire-making — using flint and steel or fire steels to understand combustion safely
- 🌿 Den building — using branches, tarps, and natural materials to create shelters
- 🔍 Minibeast hunts — exploring habitats, biodiversity, and food chains
- 🎨 Natural art — using leaves, mud, bark, and seeds for creative expression
- 🍵 Outdoor cooking — preparing food over a campfire, including toast, popcorn, and soups
- 📏 Nature-based maths and literacy — measuring trees, writing observational journals
The Research: Does Forest School Actually Work?
The evidence base for Forest School is growing rapidly. Here's what independent studies and official reports have found:
Emotional and Social Benefits
A landmark study by Sara Knight (2011) and subsequent research by the Forest School Association found:
- Improved confidence and self-esteem, particularly in children who struggle in classroom settings
- Better cooperative play and conflict resolution skills
- Reduced anxiety and improved emotional regulation
- Greater empathy for both peers and the natural world
Physical and Developmental Benefits
- Improved gross motor skills (climbing, balancing, lifting)
- Better fine motor control through activities like whittling and fire-lighting
- Increased physical activity levels compared to traditional playground time
- Stronger immune systems associated with greater soil and microbiome exposure
Academic Benefits
While Forest School is not designed as an academic intervention, research consistently shows knock-on effects in the classroom:
- Improved concentration and attention — particularly for pupils with ADHD
- Greater motivation to attend school and engage with learning
- Higher levels of creativity and divergent thinking
- Better retention of information linked to outdoor, experiential learning
Forest Schools and SEND: A Particularly Powerful Combination
Forest School has emerged as one of the most effective supplementary approaches for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The reasons are deeply practical:
Why Forest School Works for SEND Pupils
| SEND Need | How Forest School Helps |
|---|---|
| ADHD / attention difficulties | Open-ended, movement-based tasks that channel energy productively; research shows nature reduces ADHD symptoms |
| Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) | Sensory-rich, structured but flexible environment; reduced social pressure; predictable rhythms of outdoor sessions |
| Anxiety and school refusal | Lower-stakes, non-competitive setting reduces performance pressure; connection to nature reduces cortisol levels |
| Developmental language disorder (DLD) | Rich vocabulary building through naming natural objects, role-playing, and storytelling outdoors |
| Emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) | Consistent, nurturing relationships with Forest School leaders; sense of belonging to a small group |
Schools can — and often do — include Forest School within a child's EHCP provision, listed as a specialist intervention within their SEND support plan. If your child has an EHCP, it's worth asking the SENCO whether Forest School could be added as part of their provision mapping.
Finding a Forest School Near You
The best starting point is the Forest School Association's website, which includes a searchable directory of accredited leaders and settings. You can also:
- Ask your child's school whether they run or are planning a Forest School programme
- Search for independent Forest School nurseries in your area — many operate in local parks or woodland areas
- Look for holiday programmes and weekend clubs run by FSA-qualified practitioners
- Contact your local Wild Learning or Wildlife Trust group — many offer subsidised outdoor education for schools
How Schools Can Set Up a Forest School
For school leaders and governors reading this, here's what setting up a Forest School programme typically involves:
- Identify a leader: A member of staff (or external practitioner) completes the FSA Level 3 Forest School Leader Training — typically 6–12 months part-time
- Site assessment: Identify woodland or green space accessible to the school. Many schools use local woodland, school grounds with trees, or community green spaces via formal agreements
- Risk-benefit assessment: Document hazards and benefits systematically — from tools to trip hazards — following HSE and FSA guidance
- Parent engagement: Brief parents on the approach, clothing requirements (waterproofs, wellies), and risk management procedures
- Programme planning: Design a termly programme that integrates with the school curriculum where appropriate
- Equipment list: Basic tools (hand drills, folding saws, knives), tarps, first aid kit, fire kit, and a tool store or lockable box
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forest School safe for young children?
Yes — Forest School adopts a rigorous risk-benefit approach rather than risk elimination. Qualified leaders are trained to manage tools, fire, and natural hazards safely. Research consistently shows that managed risk is developmentally beneficial, not harmful.
What age is Forest School suitable for?
Forest School is suitable for all ages, from nursery age (3+) through to secondary school and beyond. The activities, tools used, and level of challenge are always adapted to the developmental stage of the group.
Do children need specialist clothing?
Children need waterproof trousers and jacket, wellies, and layers appropriate to the season. Most schools send a kit list at the start of the programme. Some schools provide waterproofs for children who cannot afford their own.
Is Forest School Ofsted-approved?
Forest School isn't a separate Ofsted-regulated category, but Ofsted inspections regularly rate Forest School provision positively as evidence of a rich, broad curriculum. Many schools have received Outstanding judgements partly based on their Forest School and outdoor learning provision.
Can Forest School be part of an EHCP?
Yes. Forest School can be included within a child's EHCP as a specialist intervention, particularly for children with SEND who benefit from a nature-based, learner-led approach. Discuss this with your child's SENCO or the local authority.
Considering whether Forest School might suit your child? Use our school search tool to find schools in your area and explore their additional provision options, or speak to your current school's SENCO about what outdoor learning opportunities are already available.
