At Rattlesden Primary School, our children benefit from a rich and engaging Forest School provision. We are fortunate to have our own dedicated Forest School area and a wildflower meadow, all set within the beautiful Suffolk countryside. We also work closely with the local community to make the most of this exceptional outdoor environment.
Forest School is an inspiring approach to outdoor learning that encourages children to explore, discover, and connect with nature. Our children learn through hands-on experiences outside, where they are supported to enjoy challenges and take age-appropriate, managed risks in a safe and nurturing setting, led by highly trained Forest School Leaders.
We are extremely proud of our school grounds, which have been carefully developed by our school team to provide exciting, memorable, and magical outdoor learning opportunities for all children.
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Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Rattlesden Primary School, we believe that children learn best when they have regular opportunities to play, explore, and spend time outdoors. Being outside helps children develop confidence, curiosity, and a healthy connection with the natural world.
Through carefully planned activities, children are encouraged to explore nature and take part in managed, age-appropriate challenges in a safe and supportive environment. These experiences help them develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional wellbeing. By working and playing together outdoors, children learn how to manage emotions, build positive relationships, and grow in confidence — all essential skills for life in the modern world.
We achieve this through our regular Forest School sessions. Forest School offers a hands-on, practical approach to learning that allows children to succeed at their own pace while building independence and self-belief. Each session has clear aims linked to engagement, behaviour, social skills, and enjoyment, while nurturing a love of outdoor learning.
Our goal is for every child to develop a strong understanding of the natural world, along with a lasting respect and enthusiasm for nature that they can carry with them beyond school.
Implementation
Forest School sessions at Rattlesden Primary School are led by qualified teachers with Level 3 Forest School Leader training, supported by teaching assistants and volunteers. Children in EYFS take part in weekly sessions. Other Year groups have regular access to Forest School session throughout the year.
Sessions run throughout the year and reflect the changing seasons. Activities are carefully planned to be engaging, achievable, and enjoyable in almost all weather conditions. Children are encouraged to explore nature, try new ideas, and develop independence, confidence, and resilience.
Forest School supports social skills, language development, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Children learn new vocabulary, share stories, work as a team, and build strength and coordination through hands-on outdoor experiences.
Safety is always our priority. All activities are fully risk assessed, leaders hold up-to-date First Aid training, and children are supported according to their individual readiness. Children should come dressed for outdoor learning in all weather, including waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.
Activities may include:
Impact of Forest SchoolForest School helps children grow in confidence by giving them the time and space to learn at their own pace. By making choices and following their interests, children develop independence and learn how to assess and manage risk safely. They begin to understand that challenges are part of learning and that mistakes help us improve, building resilience and problem-solving skills.
Children develop a strong connection to the outdoors and a respect for the natural world. They learn about plants, animals, seasonal changes, and how people can impact the environment, both within the school grounds and beyond.
Hands-on activities support language development by introducing new vocabulary and encouraging children to talk about their experiences, helping them become confident communicators.
Forest School also supports children’s physical health and mental wellbeing. Being active outdoors helps build strength and coordination, while time away from the classroom supports relaxation, happiness, and emotional balance.
Forest School is an inspiring approach to outdoor learning that encourages children to explore, discover, and connect with nature. Our children learn through hands-on experiences outside, where they are supported to enjoy challenges and take age-appropriate, managed risks in a safe and nurturing setting, led by highly trained Forest School Leaders.
We are extremely proud of our school grounds, which have been carefully developed by our school team to provide exciting, memorable, and magical outdoor learning opportunities for all children.
Want to find out more..? Click Here!
Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Rattlesden Primary School, we believe that children learn best when they have regular opportunities to play, explore, and spend time outdoors. Being outside helps children develop confidence, curiosity, and a healthy connection with the natural world.
Through carefully planned activities, children are encouraged to explore nature and take part in managed, age-appropriate challenges in a safe and supportive environment. These experiences help them develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional wellbeing. By working and playing together outdoors, children learn how to manage emotions, build positive relationships, and grow in confidence — all essential skills for life in the modern world.
We achieve this through our regular Forest School sessions. Forest School offers a hands-on, practical approach to learning that allows children to succeed at their own pace while building independence and self-belief. Each session has clear aims linked to engagement, behaviour, social skills, and enjoyment, while nurturing a love of outdoor learning.
Our goal is for every child to develop a strong understanding of the natural world, along with a lasting respect and enthusiasm for nature that they can carry with them beyond school.
Implementation
Forest School sessions at Rattlesden Primary School are led by qualified teachers with Level 3 Forest School Leader training, supported by teaching assistants and volunteers. Children in EYFS take part in weekly sessions. Other Year groups have regular access to Forest School session throughout the year.
Sessions run throughout the year and reflect the changing seasons. Activities are carefully planned to be engaging, achievable, and enjoyable in almost all weather conditions. Children are encouraged to explore nature, try new ideas, and develop independence, confidence, and resilience.
Forest School supports social skills, language development, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. Children learn new vocabulary, share stories, work as a team, and build strength and coordination through hands-on outdoor experiences.
Safety is always our priority. All activities are fully risk assessed, leaders hold up-to-date First Aid training, and children are supported according to their individual readiness. Children should come dressed for outdoor learning in all weather, including waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear.
Activities may include:
- Shelter building and woodland crafts
- Stories, songs, drama, and nature exploration
- Muddy and water play
- Team-building and tracking games
- Fire lighting and campfire cooking
- Using tools under close supervision
Impact of Forest SchoolForest School helps children grow in confidence by giving them the time and space to learn at their own pace. By making choices and following their interests, children develop independence and learn how to assess and manage risk safely. They begin to understand that challenges are part of learning and that mistakes help us improve, building resilience and problem-solving skills.
Children develop a strong connection to the outdoors and a respect for the natural world. They learn about plants, animals, seasonal changes, and how people can impact the environment, both within the school grounds and beyond.
Hands-on activities support language development by introducing new vocabulary and encouraging children to talk about their experiences, helping them become confident communicators.
Forest School also supports children’s physical health and mental wellbeing. Being active outdoors helps build strength and coordination, while time away from the classroom supports relaxation, happiness, and emotional balance.
