Forest School

🌳 Forest School at
Rectory CE Primary School

At Rectory, we are proud to offer Forest School sessions to all our children—an enriching part of our curriculum that celebrates outdoor learning and the natural world. We recognise that children learn in different ways, and we are passionate about providing opportunities beyond the classroom that spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

At Woodland and Grove, every year group enjoys at least a half-term of Forest School each academic year, led by Mr Howarth, our fully qualified Forest School teacher, in our spacious onsite woodland area. These sessions follow the WILD Passport—a skill, knowledge, and competency-based outdoor learning curriculum and progression monitoring system. With 125 learning outcomes across five key competencies, the WILD Passport offers a five-year journey from foundational woodland skills to advanced outdoor learning. It provides a clear framework for evidencing pupil progress and achievement, supporting our commitment to meaningful and inclusive outdoor education.

At The Orchard, we are excited to be developing a dedicated Forest School space within our outdoor area—designed to inspire exploration, creativity, and connection with nature. This bespoke environment will provide our children, particularly those with SEND, the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiences in a calm and nurturing setting.

Our sessions are led by Miss Swift, a fully qualified Forest School teacher, who brings expertise, enthusiasm, and a deep understanding of how outdoor learning supports emotional wellbeing, sensory development, and personal growth. Through child-led activities and supported risk-taking, pupils build confidence, independence, and a love for the outdoors.

🌿 Forest School at Rectory aims to:

• Promote the holistic development of every child, nurturing resilience, confidence, independence, and creativity

• Provide opportunities to take supported risks in a safe, natural environment

• Use child-led, experiential learning to build a strong sense of community, connection, and personal growth

Forest School is more than just outdoor play—it’s a powerful approach to learning that helps children thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. It’s one of the many ways we ensure that every child at Rectory is inspired to grow, explore, and flourish.