The natural world has always been an outstanding source of inspiration. At AIS we believe that we need to allow ourselves time to fully immerse in the natural world and experience it. Forest School is a programme where many national sections can work together and help students to share knowledge and understanding and to take time to experience the natural world.

This programme is incorporated into some of our national curricular programmes and a number of teachers and teaching assistants have had training and followed courses that require a commitment to a portfolio that leads to UK based level 2 and 3 qualifications. During the courses staff learn how to use a range of tools and techniques with children in an appropriate safe context. When a child at Forest School creates a spark, spots a squirrel or recognises the changing seasons it is a chance to inspire learning and promote life long learning.

The programme offered at AIS was developed in the 1990s in response to provision in Scandinavia of an outdoor learning strategy. Initially used widely in preschools and nurseries it was found to be beneficial for children to have a range of experiences outdoors where play and exploration in nature could be utilised.

The Forest School helps our students:

• re-connect with nature
• develop team-work and solve problems
• set own goals and create own projects, raise confidence and self-esteem
• develop emotional intelligence and skills to become life-long learners

What do students say about their Forest School experience:

• “I like collecting leaves, picking up stones, looking at trees…I am happy”.
• “My favourite thing is building shelters because it is fun and takes a lot of teamwork”.
• “I feel happy there because of all the bright colours and nature. I like to find out about nature. I think Forest School is amazing!”
• “I like birdies. I like going on the mud slide. I like looking at the sheep over the fence. The swings are the best. They are made out of logs and some rope. There is no sound of children shouting in the forest. It makes me happy and it is nice and quiet”.