Evaluation: Forest Schools encourage and inspire children to develop an interest and affinity for the local environment, through studies in and of their local woodland. The programme of learning is based on the interests of the children and allows them to build on skills from week to week. The woodland provides an environment conducive to learning skills and knowledge in a positive manner. Davis, B., Rea, T. and Waite, S. state in their research findings that:
"The Forest School aims to build on an individual's innate motivation and positive attitude to learning, to offer children opportunities to take risks and make choices and to initiate learning for themselves."

(Davis, Rea and Waite, 2006)

From my Forest School experience I can verify that children develop a range of skills and knowledge, and indeed a positive attitude towards learning. In my opinion these include communication and language development, social skills, gross and fine motor skills, numerical skills, physical fitness, knowledge and awareness of self, improved self-esteem/self-confidence, problem-solving skills, improved motivation to learn and of course knowledge of their local environment. Also central to their learning is a heightened awareness of their five senses and their use in appreciating the world around us, and indeed their own responsibility of stewardship of their local environment.

R. Murray in 'Forest Schools Evaluation Project: A Study In Wales' proposes six key benefits that participants experience and develop. They are:

1. Forest School increases the self-esteem and self-confidence of individuals who take part.
2. Forest School improves an individual's ability to work cooperatively and increases their awareness of others.
3. Forest School counters a lack of motivation and negative attitude towards work.
4. Forest School encourages ownership and pride in the local environment.
5. Forest School encourages an improved relationship and better understanding of the outdoors.
6. Forest School increases the skills and knowledge of the individuals who take part.

As a teacher of a class undergoing the Forest School experience for the first time I wholly agree with all these findings, but believe there are further vital developments. As previously stated I also found my pupils progressed in using motor skills, language and numerical skills, problem-solving skills and, central to Learning how to Learn, an understanding of themselves, including their strengths and weaknesses. As these are all skills schools aim to develop in children, I found the Forest School Project to be a beneficial tool in both the teaching and learning experience.

I believe the Forest School Project offers all children, regardless of ability, the chance to succeed. It encourages children to initiate their own learning and lead learning in a way that is natural, and not contrived, through natural occurrences. A Forest School caters for not only a range of abilities, but also a range of Learning styles, offering excellent learning experiences in the three key learning styles - visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. In the woodland my class learned through seeing, hearing sounds and voices, doing, moving and touching.

As a teacher I found the woodland more easily offered opportunities for children who prefer kinaesthetic and visual learning than a classroom did. Furthermore, learning in the woodland connects language and numerical concepts to experiences and real instances of their use, which should help pupils retain the skills and knowledge.

The publication 'Mind Your Head! Get To Know Your Brain And How To Learn" lists several interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences emotionally intelligent people have:
"They:

• are team players
• listen well
• lead others
• are friendly and outgoing
• like to work and learn in groups
• understand and manage their emotions
• value relationships
• value feedback from others
• set and work towards targets
• are self-confident and self-motivated.,,

Evaluations of my Forest School lessons show the children have developed many of these emotional skills. Forest Schools encourage team work, listening, leadership, group work, development of relationships, giving and receiving feedback and working towards a target. Opportunity is therefore also provided for development of pupils' emotional intelligences.

In conclusion, I therefore agree that Forest Schools benefit everyone involved in a wide range of ways. It provides learning opportunities for a range of abilities, learning styles and develops the child as a whole person - emotionally, physically, academically, socially and personally, whilst developing an awe and wonder of the local environment, and therefore a sense of protection and stewardship for it. It is a positive and indeed marvellous experience for all involved.

References

Davis, B., Rea, T. And Waite, S. (2006) "The Special Nature Of The Outdoors: Its Contribution To The Education of Children Aged 3-11 www.oric.org.au
Murray, R. (2004) "Forest Schools Project Evaluation: A Study In Wales" www.neweconomics.org
C.C.E.A. "Mind Your Head! Get To Know Your Brain And How To Learn"

Daphne Kayes

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