Forest Fridays gives children time to investigate, create, play and solve problems. Sessions combine opportunities to follow their own interests with activities that introduce new skills and challenges.

Every year group has opportunities to:

• Use tools, learning how to handle them safely and with care.

• Cook outdoors, helping to prepare food and enjoying the results together.

• Build shelters, exploring materials, structures and ways to work as a team.

Children also experience fire lighting and adventurous activities such as rope swings and slacklines. Activities are adapted to the children’s age, experience and needs, with skills introduced progressively.

Alongside these experiences, children can explore wildlife, investigate seasonal changes, create with natural materials and care for our outdoor spaces.

The process matters as much as the finished result. A shelter that needs rebuilding or a challenging balance can provide valuable opportunities to think, adapt and persevere.

Through Forest Fridays, we help children develop:

• Confidence and independence by making choices and trying new things.

• Teamwork and communication by sharing ideas, listening and working together.

• Resilience by overcoming difficulties and having another go.

• Physical skills through balancing, moving, building and handling equipment.

• Creativity and curiosity by experimenting, asking questions and exploring possibilities.

• Respect for nature by learning about living things and caring for their habitats.

We want children to experience the satisfaction of tackling a challenge and discovering what they can do.

Children learn to recognise hazards, follow clear routines and make thoughtful decisions. Tool use, fire lighting, cooking and adventurous activities are carefully managed, with appropriate supervision and expectations.

Support and adaptations help children participate and develop confidence at their own pace.

Children should come to school wearing their school PE tracksuit on their Forest Fridays day.

They also need:

• A raincoat, as we spend the afternoon outdoors.

• Suitable outdoor footwear: wellies, boots or stout shoes with a good grip.

• Extra warm layers during colder weather.

Please choose clothing and footwear that can get muddy and label everything clearly with your child’s name.

Our outdoor spaces are shared with plants and wildlife. We encourage children to treat living things gently, avoid unnecessary damage and leave each area ready for others to enjoy.

By caring for these places, children develop a sense of belonging and learn how their actions can make a positive difference.