Corby, Forest Schools

What?

• The Forest School initiative is an inspirational process that offers children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment
• Each session is led by a qualified Forest School Leader and is based on the skills and needs of the group. The site used is situated in Fineshade Woods, which is part of the Rockingham Forest
• All sessions are designed around the needs of pupils, ensuring that they are learner-led. Sessions are designed around a theme, themes are sometimes subtle such as evolving or exploring the site or more obvious such as Romans, butterflies, spies, fairies or nature investigators
• The activities are set up so they are within the capabilities of every person within the group (Small Achievable tasks). Teamwork skills are developed through games and activities. Individual skills and self-esteem are heightened throughout activities such as hide and seek, shelter building, tool skills, lighting fires or environmental art

When?

• The Forest School Project has been running since May 2006

How?

• Corby has a long, well documented history of deprivation both economic and social. Closely linked to this are health statistics that reveal poor health linked to restricted and nutritionally poor diet, low levels of physical activity and substance misuse
• In order to tackle this problem, funding was successfully obtained by The Corby Excellence Cluster, in partnership with other agencies including the Forestry Commission, Groundwork, Digging for Health and Howarth Timber to recruit a Forest School Leader to develop the Forest Schools project
• The Forestry Commission donated 26 acres of land to the Excellence Cluster for the Corby Forest School Project to use
• The Forest School Project was established and running by May 2006

Summary

• The project has engaged with 21 schools out of a possible 23 in the borough.
• 300 children benefit from the project each week
• 100% of children taking part in the project feel they have benefited in some way
• 15 parents regularly support the trained Forest School Leaders in activities