Forest School
Our Forest School offers a unique, hands-on learning experience that inspires curiosity, resilience and confidence in every child. It encourages pupils to explore, experiment, and problem-solve in ways that traditional classrooms simply can’t.
A Curriculum Rooted in Curiosity
“In a world where our time outdoors is often lost to busy lives, our students rediscover joy through muddy puddles, noticing nature and having fun – returning to the classroom refreshed, curious and ready to learn”.
Liz McLaughlin
Skills for Life, Learned Outdoors
Our dedicated outdoor classroom provides a safe and stimulating space for learning that supports both academic growth and personal development.
What to Expect: Year-by-Year Journey
Reception: First Steps into the Wild
Our youngest learners begin their Forest School journey with sensory-rich experiences, exploring seasonal changes and discovering local flora and fauna. Activities include nature inspired art, tool handling with support from early years teaching staff, and creative development through imaginative play.
Year 1: Building the Basics
Pupils develop early bushcraft and environmental awareness through creative clay modelling, knot tying, and identifying native plant life. They build shelters and use basic tools, sparking both independence and teamwork.
Year 2: Confidence in the Canopy
Year 2 builds on prior knowledge with more structured activities in flora identification, den building, and safe tool use. Pupils are introduced to fire safety and begin to apply their learning through simple outdoor cooking and group collaboration.
Year 4: Developing Practical Know-How
From knotwork to square lashing and fire lighting, pupils develop practical bushcraft skills. They explore flora through framed studies, build dens and shelters, and gain confidence in tool use.
Year 5: Independent Thinking in Action
Through progressive tool use including bow saws, sheath knives, and bill hooks, pupils enhance their coordination and problem-solving. Activities include using a bowsaw and lashing objects together to create a frame, and campfire cooking, with an emphasis on resilience and responsibility.
Year 6: Leaders in the Field
In the final year, pupils demonstrate independence in outdoor cooking, bushcraft, and fire safety. Activities include bracelet making, water boiling, and pancake preparation over an open flame. These mark the culmination of their growth as confident and capable Forest School leaders.
“My school gives me room for wild imagination!”
Year 4 pupil
A Lasting Impact Beyond the Classroom
At Putney, Forest School is at the heart of our outdoor learning philosophy. This immersive approach not only complements our academic curriculum but also significantly enhances pupil wellbeing, as evidenced by our BREATHE programme. Forest School is an integral part of our nature-rich ecosystem, which includes messy mud kitchens and flourishing wildflower gardens, all supporting our mission to embed biophilic principles throughout school life.
Groundbreaking research consistently highlights the positive impact of time spent in nature on wellbeing, cognitive function, and academic performance. By integrating Forest School experiences into everyday learning, we provide our pupils with opportunities to thrive both inside and out.