Forest Schools

The Forest Schools philosophy is to inspire individuals — whether children, young people or adults — through positive outdoor experiences. The aim is to provide them with the opportunities to appreciate the wider, natural world and to encourage responsibility for nature conservation in later life.

Forest School is an inspirational education ethos that focuses on developing children’s personal, physical, emotional and social development through regular outdoor woodland experiences. It allows children time and the space to develop their skills, interest and understanding through a range of activities, which provide practical, hands-on experiences in a natural environment.

Through our Forest School sessions at Ashbourne Hilltop, we hope to encourage independent, enthusiastic and creative learners who develop holistically through a well-planned and interesting child-centred approach. Our sessions takes place in a natural environment within our setting. We have an enclosed area with well-established trees and an open playing field surrounded with hedges, bushes, trees and a pond area, which is secure, fenced, and padlocked at all times.

The Forest School Leader is Mrs Fearn, a qualified Level 3 Forest School Practitioner who is also fully qualified in outdoor First Aid.