Outdoor Learning - Eastrop Rangers

Outdoor learning is a fantastic way for children to take risks, explore and develop a positive attitude to learning. We call this our Eastrop Ranger time and all of our pupils are Eastrop Rangers, led by our Lead Eastrop Ranger Mr Smith. At Eastrop Infant school, every child has the opportunity to take part in Forest school type activities through welly walks, lessons linked to their termly theme and discrete outdoor learning sessions.

Each week, our Eastrop Rangers are taught discrete skills, linked to the use of tools and techniques, as well has having the opportunity to problem solve and take risks through a variety of activities such as wand making, grounds maintenance and identifying plants and animals. These activities are carried out within the safe environment of our school grounds, allowing children to develop their independence too. At times, children will also explore beyond our school grounds, exploiting the wonderful environment we have around us in Highworth such as Coleshill Farm and forest.

Click here for our Progression document for Outdoor Learning

Forest School in our Nursery

Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

At Forest School all participants are viewed as:

equal, unique and valuable
competent to explore & discover
entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development
entitled to experience regular success
entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world

This learner-centred approach interweaves with the ever-changing moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons to fill every Forest School session and programme with discovery and difference.

Principles of Forest School

These principles were first articulated by the Forest School Community in 2002. They were reviewed in 2011 and sent out for a 5-month consultation to Forest School networks and practitioners in all UK nations. They were published on the Institute for Outdoor Learning Forest School SIG page in Feb 2012, and in the minutes of the GB trainers’ network.

FS is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
FS is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.