Unit 2 - 1.3 Demonstrate the safe checking, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of tools at a
Forest School
Maintenance and Storage of Forest School Tools.
Tools used in Forest School provide help with crafting, whittling, maintenance, building
shelters and much more. When working with the tools there are several key considerations
that should be made:
The Respect Position - A one knee kneel.
Throughout activities, involving the use of tools and when lighting fires the respect position
should be adopted. This involves kneeling on one knee. This enables a stable base whilst
providing a space for you to use tools safely. It also enables you to quickly move out of the
way should it be necessary to do so.
Safe working distances
The space around an individual or pair of individuals is referred to as the ‘Blood Bubble’.
The name is designed to show that this is the safe distance bystanders should stay out of to
avoid being hurt when a tool is in use. The ‘Blood Bubble’ is given a consistent size(two
arms and a tools length) so pupils easily remember. With younger children however it may be
necessary to mark out the ‘Blood Bubble’ physically, as they may not be able to visualise the
size of the area.
pg. 1
, Unit 2 - 1.3 Demonstrate the safe checking, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of tools at a
Forest School
Tool Talks
It is essential that pupils understand how to use them safely. Before using tools, pupils should
learn a ‘Tool Talk’. These are a set of instructions that provide a good knowledge of the tool
and its safe utilisation. They are structured similarly from one tool to the next, making the
instructions a little easier to remember after repetition.
Tool use
‘Tool Talks’ should be followed by modelling and demonstrating the safe use of each tool.
Participants should then use the tool under supervision during their FS experiences and when
older could be trusted to use them independently.
pg. 2
Forest School
Maintenance and Storage of Forest School Tools.
Tools used in Forest School provide help with crafting, whittling, maintenance, building
shelters and much more. When working with the tools there are several key considerations
that should be made:
The Respect Position - A one knee kneel.
Throughout activities, involving the use of tools and when lighting fires the respect position
should be adopted. This involves kneeling on one knee. This enables a stable base whilst
providing a space for you to use tools safely. It also enables you to quickly move out of the
way should it be necessary to do so.
Safe working distances
The space around an individual or pair of individuals is referred to as the ‘Blood Bubble’.
The name is designed to show that this is the safe distance bystanders should stay out of to
avoid being hurt when a tool is in use. The ‘Blood Bubble’ is given a consistent size(two
arms and a tools length) so pupils easily remember. With younger children however it may be
necessary to mark out the ‘Blood Bubble’ physically, as they may not be able to visualise the
size of the area.
pg. 1
, Unit 2 - 1.3 Demonstrate the safe checking, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of tools at a
Forest School
Tool Talks
It is essential that pupils understand how to use them safely. Before using tools, pupils should
learn a ‘Tool Talk’. These are a set of instructions that provide a good knowledge of the tool
and its safe utilisation. They are structured similarly from one tool to the next, making the
instructions a little easier to remember after repetition.
Tool use
‘Tool Talks’ should be followed by modelling and demonstrating the safe use of each tool.
Participants should then use the tool under supervision during their FS experiences and when
older could be trusted to use them independently.
pg. 2
