Evaluation: This year I was newly appointed as the Eco Schools Co-ordinator in Rowandale Integrated Primary School. We are a country school situated on the outskirts of Moira Village, and in previous years we had chickens and rabbits, and regularly used the school grounds for outdoor lessons. However, as the school has grown and expectations from the Department of Education have increased, these learning experiences outdoors became less frequent. Not only did I want to improve this aspect within the Eco Schools action plan; I wanted to bring back the love and interest for nature that our children would have had. So I discussed it with the Principal and we looked into the Forest School Award.

When Brian came in to discuss the Forest School Award with us, how simple it all sounded intrigued me. I had my Eco Schools Action Plan written and outdoor learning was one of our minor areas to develop, however it was proving more major than minor. Nevertheless the Forest Schools Award was something that was going to really help develop and build upon my own knowledge and skills of outdoor learning, and I had no doubt in my mind that my Primary 2s would really benefit from the open space and freedom to explore. There was just the tiny matter of getting them up to the site.

In February of this year, 30 very excited Primary 2s, two very willing classroom assistants, a few parent volunteers and myself, headed to Moira Demesne for our first Forest School lesson. It's safe to say that I was feeling rather nervous, as I had a rather lively bunch of 5 and 6 year olds in my class. My fears were soon put to rest; the children walked sensibly to the park (along a very busy road may I add) and most importantly they had so much fun. Once we returned to school after the first lesson and I could see just how much the children had enjoyed themselves, I was really looking forward to the next Forest Schools lesson. Over the course of the next few weeks and months I found that the lessons were very well planned and the results were impressive. The children were presented with opportunities to work together, problem solve and take risks in an outdoor environment which to them was a place where they only went to play in the park. They were very enthusiastic and responded very well to Brian. The children remained on task and behaviour was never much of an issue, which to me was just remarkable as this was something I often found challenging in the classroom. I was able to make observations in a 'different' setting, and therefore I got to see my children in a different light. The lively children had the space and freedom to utilise their energy, and the quiet children were more prepared to take risks and share her ideas with the group.

I am thankful to have had so many parent volunteers accompany us to the park throughout my Forest Schools training. Working in an integrated school parental involvement is extremely important, and I have no doubt that our parents will continue to involve themselves in Forest Schools. From those who did join us, I received very positive feedback and a number of them visited the site between sessions. For the summer holidays I guided the parents of my pupils to a few helpful websites to give them a few more ideas for engaging their families in the outdoors, and I have no doubt that they will make the most of these.

My aim for the rest of the school now is that all classes will participate in one Forest Schools lesson each half term, so all classes will have completed six by the end of the school year. Of course I have had the usual "I don't know how I'm going to fit it into my timetable along with everything else", "no way my class will be able to walk up that hill to the park" and "I'm not going outside if it's cold or raining", but I'm hoping that once I deliver some training on the benefits of Forest Schools and I show them some examples of my own lessons, as well as all the readily available ideas and resources online, that these attitudes will change and everyone will be just as keen as I am. Outdoor learning is something I want to inspire all of the teachers in Rowandale to use, at first on a 6 week basis, but the overall aim would be that all classes will have one Forest Schools lesson each week. I truly believe that children learn best when their curiosity is stimulated, and what better way than through opportunities for exploration, investigation, problem solving and decision making, all of which underpin a Forest Schools lesson.

As I come to my conclusion of this evaluation, I thought who better to ask than the pupils themselves. I asked my P2 class to give me a one line statement on what Forest School is to them. Below are a few of their responses:


"I like Forest School because it is fun!"tside."

"I like Forest School because we don't have to do any work."

"I like Forest School because we learn about nature."

Lastly, I would like to thank Brain for showing me that learning outdoors doesn't always have to involve a sack of resources and a lesson plan. Just simply letting the children explore the outdoors and facilitating them as they do so will reap the biggest rewards for both pupil and teacher. I am so excited to develop Forest Schools further in Rowandale IPS and hopefully do you proud! Thank you for such an excellent programme!

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