Derby Grammar School recognised for outstanding Forest School practice

Derby Grammar School is celebrating its success at becoming a Recognised Forest School Provider by offering children the opportunity to experience ‘best practice’ Forest School.

“I am delighted to announce that Derby Grammar School has gained accreditation from the Forest School Association (FSA) in recognition of our best practice. We are very fortunate to have beautiful and extensive grounds, and our pupils love their weekly sessions outside in the woodland area beneath the trees. Our Primary School staff are fully engaged and committed to the holistic approach of Forest School, and many parents choose us as their child’s school because of this offering. We know that having this recognition will give us something that other schools in the area do not.”

Elizabeth Scholter, Primary Headteacher, Derby Grammar School

Forest School is a specialised learning approach based in a woodland or natural environment with trees. It offers all participants regular opportunities to develop self-confidence and esteem through hands-on learning experiences. Its roots reach back to early years pioneers in outdoor learning in Scandinavia.

In October 2017, the Forest School Association (FSA) - the UK’s professional body and voice for all things Forest School - launched a new scheme to recognise Forest School Providers who demonstrated that they are following good Forest School practice - the FSA Recognised Forest School Provider scheme. Successful applicants such as Derby Grammar School are added to a publicly accessible map on the FSA’s website www.forestschoolassociation.org/find-a-forest-school-provider/

For parents wondering where to send their children, it is important to know that a provider is operating professionally. Are they working in accordance with good Forest School practice? Are the sessions conducted so that the children’s self-confidence, communication skills, use of tools (among other skills), is progressing week on week? Do they have the appropriate qualifications, First Aid Certificate and risk assessment processes in place? Are the woodland sites well managed? The FSA Recognised Forest School Provider Scheme offers that reassurance!

Gareth Wyn Davies (CEO of the Forest School Association) says,

“Good Forest School practice is being followed by dedicated Forest School professionals all over the UK.  We believe that the FSA Recognised Forest School Provider scheme will provide these schools and organisations with the means of demonstrating the quality of their work to parents and those who fund their work.  It will also help promote their work as they will be found on the FSA publicly searchable map.  Forest School is a distinct learning approach based on a set of 6 principles.  Our scheme helps people identify those providers who are following good Forest School practice and distinguishes them from other outdoor education that is not Forest School.

We therefore congratulate Derby Grammar School on their success at becoming an approved ‘good practice’ provider.”

The scheme takes providers through an evidence based assessment process ensuring that their practice meets all the necessary requirements to operate professionally in line with the 6 good practice principles of Forest School. It also gives providers a chance to take stock of their programme(s) to see if any improvements need to be made.

If providers fulfil all the evidence needs, and their application is successful, applicants receive a range of benefits including an e-badge that they can display on their website and marketing materials, are listed on an online publicly searchable map and can access a range of member discounts.

Feedback from successful applicants who have been through the application process has so far proved positive but ultimately the real success comes from the participants using Forest School. As David, aged 14, confirms, “I don’t have ADHD when I’m out in the woods!”.

Ensuring provision is professional is a major part of this experience and the FSA’s goal is to ensure that more positive outcomes, like David’s, are the result of good practice Forest School provision.