Frederick Holmes is set in landscaped gardens with an accessible woodland area, pond and outside play area.
This environment has enabled the school to develop a Forest School teaching and learning area.
The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. Forest Schools has demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and have the opportunity to learn through play about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.
Children in all classes benefit from opportunities like painting trees with water, pretending to be ants and snails, counting leaves and listening to environmental sounds.
The Origins of Forest School
Forest School originated in Danish pre-schools spreading to other Scandinavian countries and parts of Europe.
Children leaned through experiencing the world in a woodland setting. It was found that children developed very good communication skills, self-confidence and high self-esteem.
They developed their physical skills and awareness of a healthy lifestyle learning respect and understanding of the natural world and to take their place in it responsibly. When children started school this in turn, helped to raise their academic standards.
