Woodland
Adventures
Woodland Adventures is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning to develop the whole child.
The philosophy of Woodland Adventure is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through engaging in positive outdoor experiences.
By participating in engaging and achievable activities, in a woodland environment, each participant has the opportunity to develop their own emotional and social skills. As these are areas many of our pupils struggle with, this approach is essential to them being able to fulfil their potential.
Adopting some of the approaches from Forest School, Woodland Adventure demonstrates success with children of all ages, who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis. Through guided play, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and, most importantly, being able to use their own initiative to solve problems, either independently or by co-operating with others.
Woodland Adventure programmes run throughout the year. Each term, a group of 12 children, from Year 1 to 6, will be going to the woodland areas in all weathers (except for high winds). Furthermore, pupils will be able to use a range of tools and materials, independently and within groups.
Aims for Woodland Adventures:
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To develop pupils’ self-awareness (what their strengths and areas to develop are)
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For pupils to learn how to self-regulate their emotions, by being able to recognise their triggers and know how to cope
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To be able to self-motivate themselves, both in groups and within class
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To have empathy with each other, both socially and emotionally
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To develop their social communication skills
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To become more independent
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To grow in confidence in their own abilities
Pupils are baselined using the ‘Boxall profile’ (a resource for the assessment of children and young people's social, emotional and behavioural development) when commencing ‘Woodland Adventures’ and then again at the end of their sessions. This allows us to show their progress and see other areas we can work on within school.
Please see Mrs Littlewood if you have any questions, or whether you think your child would benefit from this intervention.