Educational Resources

 

If you'd like to lead your own visit to one of our forests you are very welcome to do so and if you need information about any of our woods education staff and rangers are happy to help. PLease let us know you're coming even if you don't need any input from us. We can tell you whether it's safe to go to the part of the wood you've chosen on the day you'd like to come and we can tell you what other activities might be happening which would affect your visit.

The New Forest has a bank of factfiles which will be of use to teachers researching information about the forest and an activity pack of ideas and information for use with primary age children is available at Alice Holt on request. None of these resources provides an instant day visit programme but we hope they are helpful as a part of your planning.

Forestry Commission education staff are passionate about the quality of the learning that takes place in their woodlands. Many are trained teachers with experience of working in schools as well as experience of managing groups and teaching outdoors. We are keen to help other teachers to make the best of a visit to a woodland or countryside site. That's why, at Alice Holt (01420 23666)and Bedgebury (01580211044), we offer In Service Training to teachers who want to be confident about teaching children "outside the classroom".

INSET day programmes include consideration of group management, safety and risk assessment, use of cross curricular activities and the value of learning in the 'real world'. A major feature of these days is the use of a wide range of practical activities and educational games which you can adapt for use with your own classes. The most effective learning in the forest results from children taking part in practical activities with minimal use of pencil and paper. INSET days can be arranged for staff from one school or several. If you're interested please ring one of the Education Managers on the numbers given above. They will be happy to provide you with more information.