Forest School at Merton Bank
Investing in Our Children's Future: The Forest School Journey with thanks to INEOS money
One of our most rewarding investments - our Forest School programme, has transformed not just Friday afternoons, but our entire school community. Forest School is delivered by KABS (Kids Activities and Bootcamps) https://kabs-fitness.co.uk/ Our Forest School leader, Mr Woods, is adored by our children and families here at Merton Bank.
When we committed to establish Forest School sessions for all our children from Reception through to Year 6, it wasn't just about the numbers on a spreadsheet. It was about recognising something fundamental that our children needed.
In a world where devices dominate so much of their time, we wanted to give them something different - a chance to step away from screens and reconnect with nature, with each other, and with skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
The decision to invest in Forest School came from watching our children and understanding what they truly needed to develop. We wanted to nurture teamwork, cooperation, resilience, independence, and problem-solving skills. These aren't just nice-to-have qualities - they're essential life skills that will help our children navigate whatever challenges lie ahead.
Our beautiful forest area has become a weekly haven of creativity and discovery. Every Friday, our Forest School leader plans engaging activities that capture the children's imagination. From den building to crafting wands and crowns, from creating wreaths to constructing ambitious structures, each session offers something new and exciting. The children never know what adventure awaits them, and that anticipation has had an unexpected but wonderful side effect.
Friday used to be our lowest attendance day, but since introducing Forest School, we've seen a remarkable improvement in our attendance figures. Children simply don't want to miss their weekly forest adventure, and this enthusiasm has spread throughout our school community.
What has truly exceeded our expectations is the response from our parents. When we invited families to join their children for Forest School sessions, we weren't entirely sure what to expect. The reality has been absolutely heartwarming. Parents have embraced these sessions wholeheartedly, often bringing younger siblings along, transforming what could have been a simple school activity into genuine family events.
The interactions we've observed between parents and children, and between families and our staff, have been wonderful to witness. Forest School sessions create a comfortable, non-threatening environment where everyone feels welcome.
The feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive. They tell us how much they love watching their children interact with their peers and seeing the relationships their children have built with our staff. Most importantly, they can see that their children are happy, safe, and loved.
These sessions have opened parents' eyes to skills they perhaps hadn't fully appreciated before. They're seeing firsthand how cooperation, teamwork, communication, listening, problem-solving, and resourcefulness develop naturally through outdoor play and exploration. Many parents have shared that the sessions have inspired them to replicate these activities at home - whether in the park, the woods, or their own gardens.
The beauty of Forest School lies not just in what it teaches our children, but in what it shows our families. Parents are discovering that meaningful, enriching activities don't have to be expensive or complicated. Some of the most valuable learning happens when children are given the freedom to explore, create, and problem-solve in nature - and it costs nothing more than time and imagination.
Our investment in Forest School has given us something priceless: stronger family connections, improved attendance, essential life skills for our children, and a community that truly understands the value of learning beyond the classroom walls.
