We are proud to be recognised as a Forest School by the Forest School Association.
“Children thoroughly enjoy exploring all areas of the spacious and well presented outdoors environment”
‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report, May 2023
“The staff at Southdown are skilled practitioners at delivering the Forest School programe – thank you for encouraging children to appreciate nature.”
Forest School is a philosophy – a way of working in an outdoor environment that helps build children’s self esteem, confidence, independence, creativity and knowledge of the natural environment.
Amanda is our Forest School Leader and runs sessions with the older children on a regular basis (at least once a week for 6 weeks). Our amazing outdoor space is used to weave Forest School principles and activities into our daily plans and routines so every child benefits.
Going out for Forest school
Bug hunting this summer
Exploring our local nature spots
Our main objective in our implementation of Forest School is to:
- Provide children with experiences that encourage an appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment;
- Help children learn to respect and care for their own local environment.
- Encourage children to abide by rules and set standards of behaviour, to work cooperatively in groups and to respect each other.