FOREST SCHOOL (HOME ED)

Our Forest School (Home Ed) programme is an outdoor learning group for children, aged between 6-11yrs+ and who are home educated. Younger siblings, 1.5-5yrs, can also book and attend these sessions alongside a booking for a child who is 6+.

These parent & child sessions run weekly, on both Wednesday afternoons 13.00-15.00 and Thursday afternoons 13.00-15.00, at our private woodland site on the grounds of Gilbert White’s House, Selborne, Hampshire.

Every session begins and ends around our campfire circle, and provide us with the opportunity to connect, share, and reflect together. Sessions are very much child-led, and participants are encouraged to explore, discover, and develop their own interests, alongside the opportunity to undertake nature based activities, arts, and crafts that are delivered as invitations rather than as compulsory activities that everyone must participate in.

With nature connection at the root of our programmes, typically, these sessions will provide children with the opportunity to practice fire making/fire craft skills, use of tools (knives, axes, saws, etc.) to develop green wood working/woodland craft skills, undertake campfire cooking, along with opportunities to build dens, explore their own physicality, manage risks, increase problem solving skills, communication, teamwork, develop independence and reflective practice, explore and connect with nature, and help to conserve the woodland environment that is home to our Forest School groups. Although, it must be stressed that this is a long term programme, with participants benefitting from a prolonged attendance, over time. With it being a child-led programme, the above are explored, delivered, and undertaken in accordance with participants own interests and capabilities.

Campfire Cooking will be offered at least twice during a half-term block, where the children will be encouraged to work together to take care of all aspects of the process, including fire building/lighting, preparation of the ingredients, as well as the cooking process.

Our Forest School (Home Ed) programmes also provide the opportunity for participants to work towards the achievement of the ‘Wild Passport’ which is a progressive, skills based curriculum, accredited by the Institute for Outdoor Learning. This can be delivered in a flexible manner to meet the needs of our groups/individuals, and is made available for all children/families who wish to work towards the achievement of the programme and its relevant criteria whilst attending their Forest School sessions. Certificates are awarded for the achievement of the different units/levels, and a physical ‘Learner Logbook’ is available, at a cost of £6, to document and record progress made against the different modules and criteria. You can purchase a copy of the Wild Passport Learner Logbook at your first session . More info re. the Wild Passport can be found here: WILD Passport

These sessions also enable home ed. families with younger siblings the opportunity to explore, discover and grow together, alongside older siblings and other children. We find that there are huge benefits to mixed age groups working and playing together. Our Forest School (Home Ed) programme will therefore also provide opportunities for younger children to explore their interests, schemas, etc. in accordance with their own developmental needs, through a range of additional age appropriate resources and optional crafts.. (More info re. our 1.5-5yrs provision can be found by visiting the Forest School 1.5-5yrs/Parent & Toddler programme page).

Our Forest School (Home Ed) programme also provides parents and children with the space and time to slow down, disconnect from the hustle and bustle of modern life, but reconnect with themselves and each other, whilst enveloped in the naturally calming influence of our woodland camp.

Wednesdays: Our next block of Wednesday sessions begins on 17th April, bookable and paid for in a half term block - 6wks for this half term - The dates for this block are; April 17/24 & May 1/8/15/22 - The total cost for this block is £49 per child.

Thursdays: Our next block of Thursday sessions begins on 18th April, bookable and paid for in a half term block - 6wks for this half term - The dates for this block are; April 18/25 & May 2/9/16/23 - The total cost for this block is £49 per child.

Our Forest School (Home Ed) is a parent & child programme. Please note, we can only accommodate a max. 1 accompanying adult per child during a session. Younger siblings (under 1.5 yrs old) can be accommodated for free. Groups are kept small to help foster a sense of community, provide plenty of space to play, and to facilitate greater access to and engagement with resources and materials during our sessions. Please note; we do not offer a sibling discount, but please contact us if booking for 3 or more children.

To book, please use the link to our bookings page below, select the appropriate programme you wish to book for, and finalise the booking process, completing the consent form and processing payment.

A Parent/Guardian Handbook, including all relevant policies and info will be provided ahead of your first session.

Please do get in touch via our ‘Contact’ tab (or social media) if you have any questions or queries before making a booking..