For the head, heart and hands!
OUR
FOREST
SCHOOL
”We only grow old when we stop playing.”
George Bernard Shaw
WHAT SHAPES OUR SESSIONS...
RELAX, HAVE FUN AND CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD
The life-enhancing importance of play cannot be underestimated – if your young person comes home and says they’ve “just been playing”, that is a wonderful thing!
BENEFIT FROM A GREAT SOCIAL OPPORTINUTY
Work as an inclusive and supportive community, sharing routines and keeping ourselves and each other safe, whilst caring for nature.
EXPLORE YOUR CREATIVITY
Structured activities to complement the session’s theme. These require focus and concentration, developing fine motor skills, whilst offering relaxation and mindfulness.
BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND LEARN NEW PRACTICAL SKILLS
Get a buzz from having a go at new things, all in a safely managed environment. Research shows that we learn by taking risks. Learning from mistakes builds resilience and self-esteem.
For many years a lack of robust research meant that the beneficial effects of Forest School were without hard proof. Advances in neuroscience in the last few decades and evidence-based research have since formally validated the practice.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news, updates and important information about future sessions and holiday camps.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What should my child wear ?
Please send them dressed for the weather – as the saying goes – there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! The secret is old clothes and layers – plus waterproofs; and on the flip side, sunhats, suncream (please apply sun cream before you drop them with us.) Long sleeves, trousers and enclosed footwear are a must all times though – these offer protection from abrasions and grazes, sunburn and ticks. We ask parents to understand that children may get wet and muddy!
What should my child bring?
Please send children with a water bottle and snack; as with school, we ask that you do not include sugary snacks or nuts, as operate a no nut policy. We will also have drinking water and offer warm hot chocolate (dairy / allergen free options available) and can share any campfire cooking we do, again observing food intolerances. Please encourage them to leave their favourite toy at home – whilst these characters may enjoy their outing, there could be upset if they got lost!
Do you have a toilet?
We have compost loo in the woods, which children are shown how to use on familiarisation walk round at the start of the session.
Where do I pick up and drop off?
Drop off and pick up is at St John’s Church, St John’s Road, Crowborough, TN6 1RZ, by kind permission of the church. Louise and the team, will be there to meet the children and do the short walk to our woods, which adjoin the church. Please car share if you can, or even better, if local, please walk. Pick up after the session will be from the same place.
How do I book and pay?
The links our Dates page take you through to bookings. Payment is at present offline. So please pay in advance by BACS transfer, using your child’s name as reference.
Account name: Wild & Green Sussex Ltd
Sort code: 60-83-71
Account no: 0612 1111
Will you cancel if it’s raining?
The direct experience of all weathers is really important at Forest School, so we will go ahead except where weather poses a risk to safety eg thunder and lightning storms, non-stop torrential rain, or high winds. We’ll let you know latest 8am on the morning of a session if need to cancel and re-arrange. For rain protection, we have temporary shelters, and an undercover space in the outdoor kitchen. We do plenty of running around to keep warm and spend time around the fireside, with hot chocolate on the go. Rain also means our little stream fill up, which gets mud on the go.. so that is always very tempting!
What’s your policy on refunds?
If you change your mind about your place, will we refund you in full, but do need at least 5 days before the start of the Holiday Club – this is so we can give others the opportunity to attend. We hope you understand that if your place is confirmed and paid, and your child does n’t come along, no refunds are due, we are not able to give the space to someone else. See also our full T&Cs on our booking page.
