Intent

At Ravensdale Infant and Nursery School, we have adequate grounds which we continue to establish each term, to deliver ‘Go Wild’ outdoor learning sessions to groups of up to 30 children per session. Each session is delivered with a Forest School ethos and is a valuable and vital resource in helping our young people explore, learn and discover possibilities beyond the limits of the classroom. Our core values are - that of respect for others, our natural environment and ourselves.

Our outdoor learning sessions gives learners the chance to have first-hand opportunities within a natural setting. The experiences outdoors allow them to take safe and controlled risks, which help build their self-esteem and desire to find out more about the world around them. Our outdoor learning sessions provide an opportunity for young people to develop their emotional intelligence and well-being, through their interaction with the natural environment and with each other.

Implementation

At Ravensdale Infant and Nursery School we provide learners from Nursery to Year 2, a different environment in which they can find new ways of learning and a chance to develop a great sense of achievement. All young people are given equal opportunities to succeed in an alternative environment and at their own level of development.

The Forest School ethos intends to provide a unique ‘unstructured’ platform for learning, in which the opportunities that arise, stem from the discoveries by the young people and the ‘unexpected’. The Forest School Leader provides a safe and encouraging environment and sessions are very much based on the children’s prior knowledge and desires. The Leader is a facilitator of their learning and our observations of the learners lay at the base of future session planning. It is therefore that sessions are planned weekly.

Impact

Within this learning programme, children are developing a variety of life skills – independence, competence, co-operation and communication and are encouraged to assess safety issues for themselves and others.  It also intends to engender a sense of respect and appreciation for the habitat around us and begin to instil an environmental ethic. To enjoy outdoor activity in a natural environment throughout the seasons, exploring both by themselves and with others. Within this programme children will:

• investigate and experiment, with a variety of natural resources.
• make discoveries using senses.
• use language to describe, explain, predict, ask questions and develop ideas.
• develop an appreciation of natural beauty and a sense of wonder
• care for personal safety, as well as that of others
•  care for the natural environment and create an awareness of wider environmental issues.
• develop relationships and effective communication with others.
• develop a sense of ownership within their own learning discoveries.

To view our curriculum plans please visit this page: https://www.ravensdalei.derby.sch.uk/curriculum/