At Ribblesdale Nursery School we are very lucky to have a large and unique outdoor space which the children have free flowing access to all day.  This wonderful space provides the opportunity for our children to explore and investigate the natural world, develop their social skills and build resilience and independence. 

Additionally, we have strong links with the Woodland Trust and one of their nature reserve managers who helps us to facilitate off site visits throughout the year to Cross Hills Nature Reserve which is located within our local community.

Sessions are led by our qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader.

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a learner-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It supports play, exploration and supported risk-taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting and is based on these six principles:

• It is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
• It takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
• It uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
• It aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
• It offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.