Forest Schools

Worcestershire Forest School Initiative is based at Bishops Wood Centre, near Stourport-on-Severn. The Centre is supported by the National Grid.

Forest School was introduced in 2000 as one of the first Forest Schools in Britain. Since then, a number of settings across the county have established their own Forest School sites – with support from Forest School staff at Bishops Wood. The Forest School site at Bishops Wood itself has continued to flourish.

About Forest Schools

Forest School is a unique way of building independence, confidence and self esteem in children and young people as they explore and experience the natural world for themselves.

The creative and investigative Forest School experience is based on a set of five guiding principles.

Experiences are fun and child-led. The children splash in puddles, roll in leaves, and (because of the high adult:child ratios) can safely experience activities like climbing tress and lighting fires

Support

Worcestershire Forest School Initiative at Bishops Wood offers a range of support to all those interested in Forest School – whether using Bishops Wood or a site of their own, thinking about developing a site, or simply finding out more about Forest School.

The Equipment Lending Service is a much-appreciated aspect of our support, as is the availability of advice and help to settings and individuals. Our shop and recipe collection have proved very popular.

Forest School Reasearch 

Particularly striking elements of research findings are the effects on children's personal, social and emotional development, and on their language and communication skills.

Also significant is that these benefits are considerable for boys as well as girls, and for children of all abilities, including those with a range of learning and emotional difficulties.   

Forest Schools Staff and Contact Information

Alison Byng:

Forest School Coordinator for Worcestershire based at Bishops Wood Centre, just outside Stourport on Severn.  Forest School is an integral part of the education development plan in Worcestershire. Worcestershire's aim is for all foundation stage children in the County to have access to Forest School.

Lisa Price:

Our Forest School Leaders. Mainly work with groups of children and young people at Bishops Wood. Can also work alongside practitioners in settings or run outreach for settings looking to embark upon Forest School who are not local to the site at Bishops Wood.

Contact Information:

Bishops Wood Centre
Crossway Green
Stourport on Severn
Worcestershire
DY13 9SE

Tel:   01299 250513 ext 217
Fax:  01299 250131
Email:  forestschool@worcestershire.gov.uk

This page was last reviewed 10 June 2013 at 10:25.
The page is next due for review 7 December 2014.