Education Initiatives

 

Forest School
The Oxfordshire Forest School project runs Forest Schools in some of the Forestry Commission's woods in Oxfordshire. Forest School is a concept that was developed in Scandinavia, and operates on the principle that children of all ages benefit from the learning opportunities present in a woodland environment.Forest School sessions are practical. They emphasise the development of self-esteem, communication and social skills, personal responsibility and citizenship. These skills feed back positively into other work in schools and settings. Forest School sessions link to all areas of the curriculum. For further information please contact

Forest School Project                                             
Cricket Road Centre
Cricket Road
Cowley
OX4 3DW

Tel: 01865 428096
Fax: 01865 428099email: forest.project@oxfordshire.gov.uk              

If you are interested in starting up a Forest School on Forestry Commission land please ring 01420 23666 to discuss your ideas and the availability of suitable sites.

Educational Partnerships
The Forestry Commission is committed to working with partners to ensure that as many poeple as possible have the opportunity to learn in the outdoors and particularly in a forest environment. We have worked closely at Alice Holt with the local Education Business Partnership to offer very successful INSET (In Service Training) for Primary School teachers to enable them to run effective outdoor study programmes in forests and in their school grounds. In the Chilterns work is in progress with a local organisation to facilitate educational visits to our Chiltern woodlands. Details will appear here when the project is underway.

On the Isle of Wight the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust leads educational activities in Parkhurst Forest and is also looking to start Forest School there. For details of events and activities please ring 01983 529199