Chichester Forest Schools

About

This is an independent alternative provider of education (IAP), which is part of the West Sussex County Council's Dynamic Purchasing System. If you would like to access IAP, please follow the Local Offer guide at Independent Alternative Provision.

Our successful alternative provision program uses a nurturing, trauma-informed approach.

Our sessions take place in woodland and wild spaces with an emphasis on nature connection and wellbeing. Our forest school approach is participant-centred, working regularly with children over sustained periods of time, allowing them to develop positive relationships and the skills they need to succeed.

Why Forest School?

Through Forest School children can grow and develop self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem because they can test and practise important skills at their own pace in exciting, stimulating natural environments.

Children feel secure and develop skills including self-regulation, self-awareness and resilience.

Play is an important part of our provision for children and young people of all ages, building communication, resilience, having fun and coping with losses.

Our qualified, experienced leaders come from a range of backgrounds including teaching, youth services, play therapy, social care and scouting. All are experienced in working with children with SEN, social and emotional difficulties, anxiety and poor mental health.

Forest school activities can be adapted for all ages and interests whether it be campfire cooking, foraging, bush craft, wood craft using tools, or natural art, all skills can be progressed to include an appropriate element of challenge and appropriate risk.

Our programmes include individual and group sessions: KS1 5-7 yrs; Little Acorns KS2 8-11yrs; Mighty Oaks KS3 and KS4.

As trained providers of the John Muir conservation award we can also run the John Muir award as part of the provision.

What we do

• We work closely with children, parents, and referrers, to identify agreed goals. Referrers receive a weekly report on the sessions. We ensure regular communication to assess the impact of our intervention and progress made.
• School Nurture group/Enrichment group: If your school has suitable grounds we can offer forest school nurture sessions for small groups in school. Feedback we have received is that these group can increase attendance, help children engage with school and help with emotional and behavioural needs.

Free to use

No

Requires referral

Yes

Our users say

“Our son loves forest school. We have seen a reduction in his anxiety, he has learned new coping skills, how to compromise and trust. The sessions have been vital to helping him physically and in understanding his sensory profile.” Parent of KS1 child

“When Z started Forest Schools he had low self-esteem and struggled with the idea of challenge/making mistakes. He found it hard to trust unknown adults and had poor emotional resilience. His challenges meant he needed several regulation breaks throughout the day to help him learn alongside his peers. We now see a Year 6 boy who has a growing self-worth and is more able to self-regulate with little to no adult input. He rarely requires a regulation break and has demonstrated he can meet a challenge and manage the idea of ‘failure’. He now appears confident and happy around school and is often given responsibilities to help his classmates or adults. He is achieving well in lessons and is greater depth in reading and maths, he is on track in literacy.” SENCO

“Weekly feedback is a very accurate reflection and shows a deep understanding of the child and his needs. We are all working on the same issues together.” SENCO