Forest Fridays take place every week and offer the same rich, childcentred, experiential learning opportunities as Forest School - but with a name unique to our school and deeply rooted in our GROWTH values and Christian ethos. These sessions give pupils from EYFS through to Year 6 the chance to learn beyond the classroom in a natural, inspiring and everchanging outdoor environment. 

🌿 What Forest Fridays Look Like 

During Forest Fridays, children spend extended time outdoors exploring nature, developing practical skills and deepening their understanding of the world around them. Activities vary with the seasons and may include: 

• Shelter-building 
• Whittling and tool use (age appropriate) 
• Fire safety and supervised campfire sessions 
• Nature art and sculpture using found materials 
• Identifying flora and fauna 
• Tracking wildlife 
• Seasonal studies (trees, weather, habitats) 
• Storytelling, reflection and quiet listening to nature 
• Cooking outdoors (e.g., damper bread, toasted fruit) 

These activities are carefully planned to ensure safety, progression of skills and a balance of challenge, collaboration and creativity. 

🌱 How Forest Fridays Support Children’s Development 

👐 Practical, hands on outdoor learning 

Children build real-world knowledge by doing — digging, carrying, collecting, sawing (where appropriate), tying knots, creating natural art and exploring habitats. This multi-sensory experience enhances memory, understanding and engagement, especially for pupils who thrive through practical or kinaesthetic learning. 

🤝 Teamwork, resilience and challenge 

Forest Fridays deliberately build pupils’ confidence and perseverance. Tasks often require collaboration — constructing shelters, transporting logs, solving real problems — which helps pupils develop communication skills, patience and resilience. Children learn that mistakes are part of learning and that perseverance leads to success. 

🧠 Independence and problem-solving 

Pupils are encouraged to take ownership of their learning. They make choices, evaluate risks, learn how to keep themselves safe and solve problems without adult intervention as their skills develop. These are crucial foundations for independence across the curriculum. 

🌳 Connection to nature and stewardship 

Forest Fridays help pupils develop respect, wonder and appreciation for God’s creation and the natural world. Through observing habitats, understanding seasonal changes, and completing environmental stewardship tasks (litter-picking, habitat-building), children learn to take care of their environment and understand their role in sustainability. 

🎨 Creativity, imagination and curiosity 

Natural materials inspire children in ways classroom resources cannot. Forest Fridays encourage open ended exploration: creating sculptures, designing mini-worlds, inventing stories, investigating natural patterns or observing tiny details that spark curiosity. 

🧘 Emotional regulation and wellbeing 

Being outdoors has a powerful impact on mental health. Forest Fridays provide: 

• Quiet spaces for reflection 
• Opportunities to practise mindfulness 
• Time away from noise and screens 
• Sensory calming experiences (listening to wind, birdsong, water) 
• Children regularly describe Forest Fridays as calming, joyful and exciting — a highlight of their week. 

🙏 Spiritual development 

The stillness and beauty of our outdoor spaces provide meaningful opportunities for: 

• Awe and wonder 
• Reflection and prayer 
• Thankfulness 
• Considering big questions 
• Appreciating the world as God’s creation 

These elements contribute strongly to both personal development and SIAMS priorities. 

🌟 The Impact of Forest Fridays 

Forest Fridays help children: 

• Build confidence 
• Take responsibility 
• Work collaboratively 
• Think creatively 
• Manage risk safely 
• Develop resilience 
• Engage in physical activity 
• Grow in independence 
• Strengthen wellbeing 
• Cultivate a lifelong love of the outdoors 

Pupils often say Forest Fridays are “the best part of the week” — and the skills and experiences gained outdoors enrich their learning across the whole curriculum.