Forest School at South Ascot Village School

At South Ascot Village School, we are proud to offer all our pupils regular access to Forest School, a unique and inspirational learning approach that takes place in our beautiful woodland areas within the school grounds. These include the lower woods behind the playground and the expansive upper woods where our sessions are held.

Through Forest School, we aim to connect children to nature, supporting their development through practical outdoor learning, and fostering environmental understanding, all of which are key to building global citizenship and sustainability awareness. For our pupils, experiences in Forest School provide rich, vocabulary-building experiences through engagement with the natural world

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a specialised, learner-centred outdoor education programme that complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland learning. It provides hands-on, nature-based experiences that encourage pupils to explore, discover, and learn in a natural environment with trees:

At Forest School, every pupil is seen as:

• Equal, unique, and valuable
• Competent to explore and discover
• Entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
• Entitled to choose, initiate, and drive their own learning and development
• Entitled to experience regular success
• Entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world

This approach embraces the changing seasons and natural world’s opportunities and challenges, making every session rich with discovery and difference.

Benefits of Forest School

Forest School supports pupils’ development across emotional, physical, social, and cognitive areas. It helps build:

• Confidence and self-esteem
• Resilience and independence
• Teamwork and social skills
• A lifelong positive relationship with nature

The sessions are child-led, allowing activities to follow pupils’ natural curiosity and interests. This fosters a love of learning and supports curriculum goals through engaging, hands-on outdoor experiences.

Participation and Practical Information

All pupils at SAVS participate in weekly Forest School sessions, experiencing outdoor learning in all weather conditions except during severe weather such as high winds or thunder and lightning.

To ensure your child can fully engage and stay comfortable, please provide the following kit on Forest School days:

• PE kit: black tracksuit bottoms or leggings, house-coloured PE top, and SAVS hoody or jumper
• School shoes for arrival, plus wellies, boots, or field shoes for Forest School
• Waterproof coat and waterproof trousers
• Extra layers, hat, and gloves as the weather gets colder
• Long sleeved t-shirt on hot days to ensure arms are covered

Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.