In a nutshell, Forest School is an opportunity for all to explore, discover, play and learn in the woods. The term Forest School can be a bit confusing as it is not as “school” as we might imagine. Forest school is an approach to learning, an ethos and consists of 6 principles:

1. Regular sessions
2. Natural environments
3. Community
4. Holistic development
5. Risks
6. Qualified practitioners

The benefits of Forest School are many and include

•     Improvement of health and wellbeing
•     Development of confidence and independence
•     Learning to assess and manage risk
•     Development of pro-environmental behaviours and attitudes
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Forest School is for everyone. At the moment La Pintadera Nature School is offering Forest School in schools and preschools in Cork area. If this is something that sparks your interest. Please get in touch. I would love to hear from you!

Forest School session will follow the interest of their participants, there is no set of activities. However, here are a few examples of what might be offered during our sessions.

• Games, songs and stories
• Nature crafts
• Hand tools
• Foraging
• Fire lighting and fire cooking
• Bug hunts
• Den building

Not all educational settings are fortunate enough to have access to a forest, and it may not always be practical to travel to one. But that doesn't mean we can't create meaningful outdoor experiences. A field, a few trees, a small garden, or even a yard can serve as a starting point. My philosophy is simple: "Work with what you have." With creativity and resourcefulness, any space can become a valuable setting for learning and exploration.

The sessions can be done in a forest (ideally) or in a park. The good thing about Forest School is that we do not need a building for it.

Forest School sessions are always fully insured, with the highest public liability, which will cover tree climbing, tool use and fire. I have my own insurance, ensuring that all participants are fully covered during our sessions.

Forest school goes by the mantra of “There is not bad weather, just bad clothing”. We need to be dressed for the weather. Here in Ireland, we have to have waterproofs at hand all year round! We will provide an essential kit list when joining in the sessions to ensure everyone's comfort, safety and enjoyment.

While we will always aim to have our Forest School sessions outdoors in all kinds of weathers, we also remain flexible and will adapt our planning and move indoors or cancel and reschedule if necessary.

Please refer to La Pintadera Nature School Policies & Procedures Manual for weather, cancellation and safeguarding policies here (link to pdf)