We are very fortunate to have developed a forest school provision on site here at Kirton Lane. The provision has a fully trained Level 3 member of staff – Miss Farling. The children love Forest School and the whole outdoor experience. It aid's children’s mental health, emotional development and social skills – all that have been impacted by the pandemic. 

Why a forest school approach?

• Develops self-regulation and self-evaluation through overcoming and working through challenges
• Encourages risks and to over-come barriers which builds resilience
• The individual needs of the learner are at the centre of the approach which enhances individual reflection
• Enhances opportunity for social connections
• Helps pupils to work through to a solution in a nurturing and safe environment

What might be included? – All for skills for later life

• Play – this is vital for connecting children socially, building confidence and emotional regulation
• Tree climbing – this is one way of managing risk and overcoming challenges
• Fire – to develop perseverance, knowledge and safety awareness
• Use of tools – develop physical skills for the future
• Environmental care – understanding how we play a part in caring for the environment
• Shelter building – developing team work skills and enhancing effective communication
• Team challenges – learning how to communicate with others
• Outdoor cooking – learning life skills
• Rope skills – developing practical physical skills
• Environmental art (hapazone) – developing knowledge and skills in art and the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors.

Forest School enables the children to build confidence; giving them the freedom, time and space to develop their independence. Our aims within Forest School is to encourage curiosity and exploration through all senses. 

With activities whatever the weather, Forest School is always made FUN!!

ECO School

Eco school is an international award programme that guides schools on their sustainable journey, providing a framework to help embed these principles into the heart of school life.

The programme is part of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that aims to “empower students to be the change our sustainable world needs by engaging them in fun, action-orientated, and socially responsible learning.”

We are proud to hold the Eco-schools silver award which was achieved by our evident schemes of work, pupil work, lessons plans, resources and on displays around our school. 

Here at Kirton Lane we have a our Forest School encouraging pupils to participate in ensuring that the school playground is tidy, waste is recycled and general eco-maintenance of our school!

 Each day of the week, checks are made to ensure we are doing the best we can as a school to protect our environment and support the need for a more sustained world. 

 In the past children have taken part in an Eco activity day all about 'looking after our planet'. They looked at saving electricity, recycling, saving water and different ways to travel to school instead of in a car.