Forest or Woodland Schools seek to provide a unique opportunity to encourage, inspire & motivate children, through first hand experiences, based on investigation and exploration, within the context of a woodland environment. The purposes of woodland schools include:
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To give ownership of the woods to the children and the wider community.
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To provide the children with an area in which they can explore, play and learn in a positive, fun way.
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To afford children the opportunity to make choices, take risks and develop life-long skills.
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To provide a place for children to develop an understanding and appreciation of their environment and to foster a desire to care for it.
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To investigate stimulating areas of interest outdoors in a natural environment.
The NEELB CASS Early Years Team has traditionally promoted the use of the outdoor environment by schools to extend and enrich children's learning. In recent years, this has included support for a number of individual schools and projects as they have sought to develop a forest or woodland school experience. A one-day INSET course has been offered to the NEELB Nursery sector in Woodhall Residential Centre, Kilrea and was also offered at RTU Summer School in 2008.
During the 2009-10 academic year, the Early Years Team formed a partnership with the NEELB Youth Service and particularly with staff in Woodhall Residential Centre to develop a pilot woodland school project. Part of the Woodhall site was secured to create a mini 'woodland school' experience for the early years classes in an identified number of local schools. Participating schools involved were:
