About Windmill Hill's Forest School
At Windmill Hill the outdoor education is an important part of the curriculum. We are fortunate to have our own forest school which contains a tree house, an amphitheatre, musical instruments and wooden sculptures.
Each class has a session outside every week and the impact on learning within the classroom has been huge.
Our pupils are re-connecting with nature and receiving an enriched education thanks to the success of the Forest School programme which is run by The Mersey Forest.
The Ofsted inspector was enthralled by his session in the Forest and states in his report that it is:
“..a magical place to learn”
The Positive Impact of Forest Schools
Forest Schools is an approach which has been practised in Scandinavia since the 1950s and involves regular outdoor lessons in woodland environments. It has been shown to improve children’s confidence and self-esteem as well as rebuilding their affinity with the natural environment.
The Mersey Forest School Project combats children’s increasing isolation from the natural world arising from greatly reduced freedom to roam and society’s increased fear of risk.
By helping children to discover their natural environment The Mersey Forest is:
- Rebuilding children’s appreciation of nature.
- Encouraging sociable, healthy and active lifestyles.
- Fostering independent and creative learners.
- Helping families spend more time playing together outdoors.
- Educating children with the natural environment.
- Providing an enriched education.
- Allowing children to play outside with their friends.
- Building self-confidence and emotional intelligence skills.
- Increasing children's respect for wildlife.
