Forest School Education

Experience a connection with nature

Forest school is an innovative educational approach that allows children to learn and develop through hands-on experiences in a natural, woodland environment. The concept was established in the 1990s and has been based on a Scandinavian template. Forest school usually involves regular sessions of at least 2 hours at a time and takes place over the course of 24 weeks or more, and crucially the experience spans at least two different seasons. The idea is to give children an immersive way to build a deep connection with nature, and in turn, develop their physical, emotional, social and intellectual skills.

Natural settings, with a rich array of trees, plants, and wildlife, provide children with endless opportunities for exploration, creativity, and problem-solving. Through immersive activities like den building, nature crafts, and plant and animal identification, children develop improved motor skills, teamwork abilities, and a sense of independence and self-confidence.

The learning approach of forest school also supports language development and emotional well-being, as children are encouraged to discuss their experiences, as well as their feelings and ideas. Whether you are looking for somewhere local to visit regularly, or a longer duration residential stay, if you are looking to give your class time in nature away from the pressures of the indoor classroom a forest school experience offers a refreshing and highly effective addition to traditional classroom learning.

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Popular school trip February 2026 !

Cumulus Outdoors Residential Centre - Swanage

location icon School Trip South West
apple icon Subjects: Accommodation Only, Bushcraft, Fieldstudies, Forest School, Geography, Environmental Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, Geology, History, Local History, Medieval, Prehistory, Saxons, Victorian, World War, Physical Education, Science, Biology, Team Building, Watersports, Wildlife, SEN


Experience the transformative power of nature with our forest school programme. Moving beyond the pressures of a traditional classroom, our approach allows children to slow down and reconnect with their environment. Many students live within urban areas leading a busy life and have little chance to ...

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Residentials
The Sustainability Centre Residentials
map pin London & South East

The Sustainability Centre offers residential trips, day visits, forest school, farm visits and alternative education within our stunning 55 acre woodland. This provides access to beautiful countryside in the South Downs National Park.

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Xplore! Science Outreach
Xplore! Science Outreach
map pin in-school workshop

Xplore! Nature is an educational forest school site at Northop. Xplore! Nature focuses on hands-on and experimental learning in natural environments. At Xplore! Nature children are encourages to...

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Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
Xplore! Science Discovery Centre
map pin Wales

Forest School is an outdoor, experiential learning approach that allows children to engage with nature in a hands-on, immersive environment. It is rooted in the idea that outdoor play and exploration...

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New Forest Activities
New Forest Activities
map pin London & South East

Schools can learn about the the environment and nature around them with New Forest Activities residential programmes in the heart of The New Forest. This could be anything from foraging for materials...

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Residential & Day Trips at The Chellington Centre
Residential & Day Trips at The Chellington Centre
map pin East of England

Children can practise a variety of forest skills including shelter building, fire lighting, wood craft, as well as learning about trees and wildlife surrounding the centre. This programme is...
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Day Visits
The Sustainability Centre
map pin London & South East

Sustainability in action! Come and visit us for a day or more to learn all about looking after the planet in our beautiful 55 acre woodland site nestled in the stunning South Downs National Park. Packed with hands on activities for all ages.
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Ackers Adventure Day Trips
Ackers Adventure Day Trips
map pin West Midlands

At Ackers Adventure, we offer Forest School sessions in our beautiful woodland area, providing engaging and exciting activities that encourage children to explore, discover, and learn through nature....
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Day Trips at Bore Place
Day Trips at Bore Place
map pin London & South East

Join us on a fun day out on a woodland adventure! Our Team Challenge Day gives your students a whole day outside, exploring the farm together, and learning outdoor skills. These activities are best...
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Ackers Adventure Residential centre
Ackers Adventure Residential centre
map pin West Midlands

Forest School Experience At Ackers Adventure, we also offer a Forest School experience for children, designed to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence through hands-on learning in nature....
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Flamingo Land
Flamingo Land
map pin Yorkshire

Did you know Flamingo Land offers educational workshops, tours and self guided workbooks all in the surroundings of an award winning zoo and theme park.
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Living things and Habitat Heroes
Living things and Habitat Heroes
map pin in-school workshop

Learning about our planets precious biodiversity is vital because it lays the foundation for understanding the importance of preserving the natural world, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.
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Unforgettable Residentials at The Hive
Unforgettable Residentials at The Hive
map pin London & South East

The Hive is in the heart of Epping Forest, and we are able to offer Forest School sessions on our beautiful 7 acre site or we can come out to local schools and run sessions in your grounds led by our...
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Day Visits
Day Visits
map pin London & South East

Our Forest School programme consists of a series of specialised, natural play-based programmes that put the learning back in the child's hands, letting children thrive and learn from real life experience in a natural setting whilst being facilitated by a trained Forest School leader.
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Leighton Hall Outdoor Education
Leighton Hall Outdoor Education
map pin North West

Unique hands-on learning, with fully supervised sessions in forest school, bushcraft and survival skills and a role play “rescue”. Including shaping wood, making a shelter, lighting a fire and fire safety. Activities include: Building a camp fire, wood whittling, making a shelter and foraging.
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Unforgettable Day Visits at The Hive
Unforgettable Day Visits at The Hive
map pin London & South East

The Hive is in the heart of Epping Forest, and we are able to offer Forest School sessions on our beautiful 7 acre site or we can come out to local schools and run sessions in your grounds led by our...
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The Wilderness Camp
The Wilderness Camp
map pin North East

Forest school activities + 50 acres of ancient woodland and lake + experienced and passiontate staff = The Wilderness Camp, Join us for a host of forest school activities for both KS1 and KS2...
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Sayers Croft
Sayers Croft
map pin London & South East

Sayers Croft is nestled at the foot of the Surrey Hills and provides outdoor experiences for 27,000 visitors p.a. of all ages and abilities. We offer bespoke residential and day visits for schools, community groups and DofE Award participants
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Big School Camp Midlands
Big School Camp Midlands
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire

We offer a range of unique and innovative outdoor activities with a residential experience delivered on your school’s premises. Our camps help you deliver a full outdoor learning experience with 100% participation for all and at a very low costs
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Big School Camp North
Big School Camp North
map pin East Midlands, West Midlands, London & South East, East of England, South West, North East, North West, Yorkshire

We offer a range of unique and innovative outdoor activities with a residential experience delivered on your school’s premises. Our camps help you deliver a full outdoor learning experience with 100% participation for all and at a very low costs
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Gaveston Hall
Gaveston Hall
map pin London & South East

Gaveston Hall located in peaceful West Sussex countryside on the edge of the South Downs National Park, and is an ideal location for school groups wanting secure a residential experience. With easy access to both central London and the south coast.
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