Unit 4 3.1 Handbook Creating a Forest Schools Handbook

Unit 4 3.1 Tim’s Wood Forest School Handbook




Tim’s Wood

Forest
School
Handbook



pg. 1

,Unit 4 3.1 Tim’s Wood Forest School Handbook

Contents:


• Important Contact Numbers
• What is Forest School?
• Health and Safety
• Insurance
• Risk management
• Food, litter and wastewater disposal
• Water
• Lifting
• Transport
• Missing children
• Daily procedures
• First aid
• Emergency action plan
• Poor weather and clothing
• Toileting and hygiene
• Tools
• Fires and cooking
• Before we go
• Typical session
• After the session
• Child protection and confidentiality
• Staffing
• Safeguarding Children
• Equal opportunities
• Behaviour and Anti-bullying
• Appendices




pg. 2

,Unit 4 3.1 Tim’s Wood Forest School Handbook



IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS


Tim Smith (Site owner): 0987543294
Site Manager (Jo): 078951234
Emergency Services: 999 ask for relevant
services.
Local Doctors Surgery: 01392 765432
On site staff:
Jo: 0987543294
Nyomi: 076582314
Mica: 098715237
Tony: 0863219654


Please ask us if there’s anything you’re unsure
of.



pg. 3

, Unit 4 3.1 Tim’s Wood Forest School Handbook

What is Forest School?

It’s a child or person-centered inspirational learning process. Participation in Forest School provides
holistic growth through regular sessions in a long-term programme, that supports play, exploration and
supported risk taking. Confidence and self-esteem are developed through learner inspired, hands on
experiences and opportunities in a natural setting.

The developmental ethos of Forest School is shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the
world. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, “frilufsliv”, or free-air-life, originally seen as a way
of life in Scandinavia, where Forest School began. In 1993 it began to emerge in the UK and has gained
popularity since then.

Learners develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually. Forest School fosters a
safe, non-judgmental environment for the learners to explore opportunities and take risks.
Forest School inspires a deep and meaningful connection to the world and an understanding of how a
learner “fits” within it. The Forest School approach to risk means that learners constantly expand on
their abilities by problem solving, building self-belief and resilience. Participants become creative,
independent, healthy, and resilient independent learners.

Here at Tim’s Wood staff members act as “facilitators”, supporting children in their learning and
helping to develop and extend their ideas.
Our Forest School sessions take place in Tim’s Wood and are led by Jo and Aaron, who are both
Forest School leaders with a Level 3 Forest School practitioner qualification. In addition to this,
several other staff members will also be helping with the sessions.



“Hi, I’m Jo and I work in Tim’s Wood. I am a qualified teacher and hold a Level 3 Forest
School qualification. I am very interested in nature and studied Training and
Management at university. In my free time I love being in my greenhouse and garden or
being out on mt bicycle.”




“Hi I'm Mica. I work in Tim’s Wood. I have a BA Hons degree in Child Play
Specialism and now hold a level 3 forest school leader qualification. In my
spare time I like to exercise and go on long walks with my husband and
baby girl.”




pg. 4