Mission: Forest School for 100% Children
Spreading forest school to 100% of children in the UK would require a strategic, systemic approach involving policy changes, infrastructure development, community engagement, and educator training. Here's a comprehensive plan:
1. Integrate Forest School into the National Curriculum
Make it part of core education: Embed forest school principles into the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stages 1–4.
Mandatory outdoor sessions: Require all schools to provide a minimum number of outdoor learning hours per week.
Link to academic subjects: Show how forest school supports subjects like science, geography, and PE to align with existing learning goals.
2. Provide Training for Educators
Upskill teachers/educators: Offer funded training programs to enable teachers/educators to become confident in delivering Forest School sessions (note: qualifications are already not a mandatory, nor statutory/legal requirement to lead Forest School sessions).
Embed outdoor education in teacher training: Include forest school pedagogy as part of initial teacher education programs.
Recruit specialists: Employ dedicated forest school leaders in schools that lack qualified staff.
3. Build Infrastructure
Utilize existing green spaces: Transform school grounds, parks, and community spaces into forest school-friendly environments.
Develop urban solutions: Create "urban forest schools" in city parks and rooftop gardens for children in densely populated areas.
Fund new facilities: Allocate government funding to establish outdoor classrooms and shelters where needed.
4. Ensure Accessibility for All
Provide equipment and clothing: Offer grants/funding for schools to supply waterproof clothing, boots, and other essentials to ensure no child is excluded due to weather or cost.
Focus on inclusion: Adapt forest school activities to accommodate children with physical disabilities, neuro-divergence, or special educational needs.
Subsidize participation: Use public funds to cover costs for low-income families and schools.
5. Engage the Community
Parental involvement: Educate parents on the benefits of forest school and encourage their support.
Partnerships with local organizations: Collaborate with conservation groups, outdoor centres, and NGOs to expand resources and expertise.
Volunteers and mentors: Recruit community members to assist in running sessions and maintaining outdoor spaces.
6. Government Policy and Funding
Policy endorsement: Secure government backing for forest school as a national priority, emphasizing its benefits for mental health, physical fitness, and environmental awareness.
Funding allocation: Establish a dedicated budget for forest school initiatives, including training, infrastructure, and subsidies.
Incentives for schools: Provide financial rewards for schools that successfully implement forest school programs.
7. Awareness Campaigns
Promote benefits: Run nationwide campaigns highlighting the advantages of forest school for child development, health, and education.
Showcase success stories: Use case studies and testimonials from schools that have already adopted forest school to inspire others.
Involve media and influencers: Leverage social media, educational influencers, and celebrities to spread awareness.
8. Pilot Programs and Scaling
Start small, then expand: Launch pilot forest school programs in a mix of urban, suburban, and rural schools to test implementation strategies.
Evaluate and adapt: Use data from pilot programs to refine the approach before scaling nationwide.
9. Foster Environmental Responsibility
Teach sustainability: Incorporate lessons on conservation, climate change, and ecosystem management into forest school activities.
Encourage eco-projects: Involve children in tree planting, habitat restoration, and waste reduction projects to deepen their connection to nature.
10. Long-Term Vision
Regular evaluation: Assess the effectiveness of forest school programs through feedback from children, parents, and educators.
Sustainability focus: Ensure that the initiative remains funded, supported, and relevant by tying it to broader goals like climate education and public health.
Cultural shift: Aim to normalize outdoor learning as a vital and permanent aspect of education, not just an extracurricular activity.
Potential Challenges and Solutions
Weather concerns: Invest in shelters and weather-appropriate clothing.
Teacher workload: Provide additional staff or volunteers to share responsibilities.
Cost: Use government funding, grants, and community sponsorships to minimize expenses for schools.
Teacher/educator motivation: Motivate educators to re-focus educational priorities towards greater inclusion of children’s well-being.
Existing Forest School sector: Utilise and fund existing Forest School sector (including trained Forest School Leaders) to motivate and train all educators.
Outcome
By systematically embedding forest school into the UK education system, you can ensure that every child experiences the developmental, social, and environmental benefits of outdoor learning, creating a healthier, happier, and more eco-conscious generation.
