Forest School
Forest School at Ab Kettleby Primary School
At Ab Kettleby Primary School, we are proud to offer a vibrant and engaging Forest School programme that helps children grow in confidence, creativity and connection with the natural world.
Forest School is a child-led, outdoor learning approach where children explore, take supported risks, and develop vital life skills through hands-on experiences in nature. It’s a unique opportunity for learners to thrive beyond the classroom.
What Happens at Forest School?
Children take part in a wide range of exciting activities that spark imagination, promote teamwork, and build resilience. These include:
- Shelter building – planning, constructing, and problem-solving in teams
- Minibeast hunts – exploring habitats and learning about living things
- Nature art and painting – using found materials to create beautiful work
- Mud kitchen play – sensory learning through mixing, pouring and roleplay
- Obstacle course challenges – building coordination, perseverance and confidence
- Digging pit fun – a dedicated space for digging, exploring soil and free play
- Story circle – where children gather for songs, stories, and calm reflection
- Fire circle – a safe, structured space for cooking, group learning and celebrating achievements
- Tree climbing and exploration – supported risk-taking that builds self-esteem
- Campfire sessions – learning to safely build and cook over a real fire
Tool use – using real tools like bowsaws and peelers to create and build
Our Forest School Site
We are incredibly lucky to have expansive, natural grounds that support outdoor learning all year round. Key features include:
- A peaceful woodland area with mature trees for climbing and wildlife spotting
- A large open field with mown paths and wildflower areas
- A living willow sculpture, used for weaving, exploring and storytelling
- A mud kitchen, digging pit, and obstacle course for creative, active play
- A central fire circle for safe group campfire experiences
- A quiet story circle, perfect for reflection, sharing and calm gatherings
- A tool-use zone and areas for nature crafts, shelter building, and minibeast habitats
- A pond area used for observation and eco-awareness
We carefully manage the site with a balance of child-led exploration, safety, and ecological care, encouraging respect for the environment in all we do.
Why Forest School?
Forest School supports the whole child by:
- Building confidence, resilience, and independence
- Encouraging teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving
- Supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health
- Enhancing physical development through movement and coordination
- Strengthening a lifelong connection with nature
These benefits are closely aligned with our school values, and recognising how outdoor experiences support emotional growth and wellbeing.
