Forest School

Giving learning, joy and success to life.

What is Forest School?

Forest School sessions involve children using an outside environment to learn new skills whilst having fun! Learning is largely child initiated, as the children are encouraged to explore their natural surroundings. Activities can be offered, as required, to engage the children. Children are supported to follow their interests in an all-inclusive environment.

Benefits of Forest School sessions:

  • Develop self-awareness
  • Develop self-esteem
  • Encourage confidence to try new things
  • Support teamwork
  • Support independence
  • Offer an inclusive learning environment

What Alison offers schools

Tender Shoots offer Forest School sessions to encourage and inspire children in an outdoor environment. The sessions stimulate children’s natural inquisitive nature whilst supporting them to develop persistence. Through Forest School, a deepening awareness of self and peers develops communication and social understanding. Forest School sessions are accessible to all and the approach to learning provides everyone with the opportunity to succeed.

Alison Shorter, founder of Tender Shoots, is a qualified primary teacher – BA(Hons)QTS. Over the last 15 years, Alison has had a varied set of experiences in primary school education and is an accredited Level 3 Forest Schools Practitioner.

Alison’s costs are realistic, affordable and competitive.

To explore how Forest Schools can enhance your school’s education and for the costs please contact Alison.

Tender Shoots would commit the following to a school:

  • Blocks of 10 sessions to be delivered to the same group of children (max 15) on a weekly basis throughout the term.
  • Relevant training to be kept up to date, including Outdoor First Aid Training
  • Risk Assessments and Emergency Action Plan in place
  • Pre/post site checks for each session
  • To provide relevant equipment for sessions
  • Up to date DBS checks held by all Tender Shoots members of staff

A School would need to commit the following to Tender Shoots: 

  • Groups of up to 15 children – ratio of at least 1 adult: 4 children. This may vary depending on age or additional needs of children.
  • Provide 1 member of staff (TA)
  • Provide at least 2 parent helpers

To explore how Forest Schools can enhance your school’s education and for the costs please contact Alison.