The Isle of Wight Forest Schools Project
The Isle of Wight Forest School Project
- The Project began in August 2008 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.Over the two years, 212 Forest School sessions were delivered to over 500 local children in woodland classrooms set up at various sites around the Isle of Wight.
- The Project has been extended for another year thanks to funding from the West Wight Landscape Partnership. The Partnership is funding the delivery of 8 six week Forest School programmes.
- FOREST SCHOOL IS FREE TO WEST WIGHT SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY GROUPS AND PRE-SCHOOLS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2010-2011. Please get in touch to book your place.
- We may also be able to help with transport costs. Please get in touch for further information.
- The Trust's Forest Schools leader for the Isle of Wight is able to give talks and power-point presentations to school staff, parents, students and children. She can also provide information boards to be displayed on school premises.
- Four training workshops for adults will be delivered during the year on learning through outdoor play. If you or your setting would like to take part or find out more, please get in touch with the Forest Schools officer.
- If you would like to be considered for a position as a Forest School volunteer, please get in touch. The position will be subject to a criminal records check and the Trust's vetting procedure for those working with children and vulnerable adults.
Who can get involved?
To date the Project has worked with children in pre-schools and primary schools, after-school clubs, groups of teenagers through the Hampton Trust, the extended schools programme and family groups. Children attending Wildlife Watch, the junior arm of the Wildlife Trust, have also had a taste of Forest School with shelter building sessions and activities on Saturdays. If you would like to know more about how your group can get involved, please contact Forest School Officer, Kathy Grogan, on (01983) 529199 or email kathyg@hwt.org.uk.
Staffing
Isle of Wight Education Officer, Kathy Grogan, holds the Advanced Award for Forest School leaders (Level 3). Practitioners must hold the Level 3 qualification in order to run a Forest School. Other members of staff and volunteers assisting with the Isle of Wight Forest School Project hold the Forest School Level 1 Award, Enhanced CRB and Outdoor First Aid certificates and are vetted through the Wildlife Trust's Procedure for Those Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults.
Clients are asked to provide at least one member of staff from their school / pre-school to attend the Forest School sessions, and it is good practice to use the same staff for each of the six sessions to maintain continuity for the children. Staffing ratios are usually one to four, with the Leader supernumerary.
