Nature School
Nature School is inspired by the Scandinavian Forest School specialised learning approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education. It incorporates our school vision of exercising muscles and minds!
We hold regular open Nature School sessions where parents/carers can join us too!
Our Nature School Ethos has Six Principles
These principles are:
- Nature School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment.
- Nature School takes place in an environment to support and development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- Nature School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- Nature School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
- Nature School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
- Nature School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
The Curriculum and Nature School
At Silfield Oak Primary Academy all the children take part in regular Nature School sessions, where their learning takes place outside.
The children will achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences, trying more risky activities such as tree climbing, building fires, using real tools and den building.
Our Nature School curriculum has be carefully devised for focusing on science, geography and aspects of design and technology. At the heart of our curriculum we care about the local community, our country, the world around us and the people and animals that live within it.
Science and Nature School
Nature School has strong cross – curricular links with science. When planning themes for the sessions, they often link with the science curriculum and those links are clear. The environment lends itself to exploring seasonal change, using and discovering properties of materials, plants, habitats, birds and animals and much more!
Geography and Nature School
Nature School has strong cross- curricular links with geography also. We inspire children’s curiosity and fascination about the natural world and this will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Each child is able to experience the seasons and weather patterns for themselves accessing outdoor learning throughout the year and in all weathers, except in high winds of course! The Silfield Oak tree is a key feature in supporting our understanding of seasonal changes.
Design and Technology and Nature School
Nature School has strong cross- curricular links with design and technology. Within Nature School we use our creativity and imagination to design and solve real and relevant problems. We use an open fire to cook, learning where our food comes from and about foraging. We use hand tools to whittle wood found locally, creating our own designs.
