Forest School for All
- Sara Knight - Teacher and Forest School Leader
Global/Comparative Education
Forest School is now being used with a wide range of different age groups and in many different settings, and it can address issues such as obesity, public health and social wellbeing. This book includes case studies that will help to demonstrate how to run Forest School sessions with:
- children in older primary classes
- secondary schools
- children in urban environments
- special schools
- young people in residential homes
- school refusers
- young people who have been excluded
- adults with autistic-spectrum disorders
- family centres.
Anyone interested in how to implement the Forest School ethos in their learning environment will be enthused and inspired by this book.
Sara Knight is an experienced early years educator and Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University. She is a trained Forest School practitioner and author of Forest Schools and Outdoor Learning in the Early Years and Risk and Adventure in Early Years Outdoor Play (both published by SAGE).
'Despite the variety of contributors and their projects, the editor has achieved a consistence of tone and style in the writing, which is engaging and accessible'
-Valerie Huggins, Early Years
'[The editors] lead a mystery tour of learning in nature and nature in learning. I particularly delighted in the account of the practicalities of urban comprehensive pupils weaving together saplings along a trail as part of their 'Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning'. This book turns a dry Faculty of Public Health report green' -
Times Higher Education
'Yet again Sara has managed to capture the essence of Forest School. The varied case studies explore how the Forest School ethos applies across a wide range of clients, and demonstrate precisely why so many talented and enlightened practitioners are using Forest School with learners, especially those who don't fit in with the constraints of mainstream education' -
Susannah Podmore, FEI Coordinator, Forestry Commission England
"Knight offers a needed addition to scholarship on outdoor and hybrid environmental curriculum, with a keen modeling accommodation for diverse and special-needs learners. The book's strength is that it provides a methodology for implementation of outdoor experiential education curriculum and assessment in independent and charter schools."
A great review, introducing and exploring the concepts and practicalities of forest schools.
Essential reading for all those studying or wishing to improve knowledge of forest school and outdoor play and learning.
This book is a key text for those who are considering or currently engaged in Forest School Education. This book explores the context in which Forest School settings should be developed, discussing the role of the Forest School Leader and the importance of health and safety. The chapter on supporting children's social and emotional needs is thought provoking and provides many examples of how practitioners can develop their skills to support children's well being.
I have recommended that my students read this book, and use it to inform the way that they would like to learn on the course. I try to teach in an outdoor environment whenever possible, and this book helps the students to understand why this benefits them.
This book identifies the characteristics which define Forest School within the UK. It makes distinctions between various environments and diverse participants and allows the reader to see how inclusive the ethos of Forest School can be. We are recommending this book for the Early Years Care and Education Foundation Degree and I am sure that as these students progress towards Primary School Educators they will use this book again and again.
A nice introduction into Forest school philosophy, useful because case studies give it a practical feel. A good resource for seminar tasks.
An excellent text which is highly accessible to students, providing a range of case studies and discussion points as well as further reading guidance, designed to support the student in areas of personal interest.
An inspiring collection of essays with useful references and websites. Full index and very 'student friendly' layout. Good coverage of the Forest Movement from knowledgeable contributors.
