Our emphasis at our sessions, whether they are during school time, at an afterschool club or during full days at holiday camps is always on children leading the way. This empowers them to direct their own learning in fun ways which enable them to discover what excites them, explore their interests and play in a way that suits them rather than being prescribed what they should do and how they should do it. We believe this supports their independence as well as enabling them to quickly gain or hone skills such as confidence, resilience, perseverance and communication. Read more about the value of free play and how it benefits child development here.
The Green Planet team prepares for sessions by setting up stations or situations such as for whittling, fire lighting, campfire cooking, shelter building, crafting, tree climbing, construction using tools, and supports children on whichever activity they choose to explore. In order to fully appreciate the range of fun activities on offer, a very detailed list of those activities and their benefit to child development can be found here. Of course all of this goes on in a woodland area giving access to nature which itself is both a great educator and an amazing place to play.
Green Planet Forest School sessions are for children aged 4 – 13 (Reception to Year 8). We do not offer toddler or pre-school sessions. Our sessions are designed to foster independence in children, therefore it is not possible or required for parents to stay or attend.
A great deal of effort goes in to making sure your children are safe both physically and emotionally at our Forest School sessions. There is a great deal of development potential in children taking risks, physical risks like learning to stand up and walk or emotional risks like learning to meet new people and experience new things for example, our highly trained, qualified and experienced team ensure that any risks are minimal and rewards are maximum. Our risk assessment policy document is available on request, just contact us and we’ll be happy to share it or discuss it further.
All sessions are led by a qualified Forest School Leader and the team are all safeguarding and paediatric first aid trained. Executive Director Alex (Mr Mud) is also a children’s mental health ambassador and teaches children practices such as mindfulness and grounding to support their mental wellbeing and help them deal with challenges they may face.
At all times of the year closed shoes, long trousers and long sleeves are the minimum. This reduces the chances of injury from brambles, nettles and insect bites. We also recommend sending spare clothes which can be used to layer up if the weather turns cold or be used to replace wet clothes should we experience rain or splash a little too hard in muddy puddles.
During the colder Autumn and Winter months sessions do still go ahead in almost all weather conditions [more here] and so to keep everyone warm and toastie we have some specific recommendations for clothing and footwear which is covered in this post.
Please send your child with a hearty packed lunch** and plenty of snacks as they will burn lots of energy outdoors playing all day. Please send a refillable plastic water bottle which is labelled (we are happy to refill these throughout the day). Please note that all settings are NUT FREE. Please do not send any glass bottles or containers.
** There may be the occasional special themed day where we include a campfire lunch, but this will be clearly stated on the event page**
Children with SEN needs are welcome and well supported at our sessions, and from experience they usually excel in the Forest School environment. If your child has 1:1 support during schooltime or has very specific or acute needs, please contact us before booking to have a chat about how we can support them at a Forest School sessions.
Due to the nature of some of our sites, access for those with limited mobility or in a wheelchair, may be difficult, especially in wetter weather. Please contact us to discuss your individual needs before making a booking, so we can fully support your child.
For our holiday clubs, we welcome any child from any school either locally or further afield, from reception to year 8. This means siblings or friends who attend different schools can attend together.
For our after school clubs, the child will need to attend the school at which the sessions are held.
Yes you can for Summer and Easter holidays at selected sites. If available, you will be able to find them via the HAF booking system, listed under S4A and those that state ‘Forest School HAF Programme’
For safety reasons, no amendments can be made on the day of your booking.
Only the set times stated at the location are available for drop off and collection i.e. 09:00-15:00 / 08:00-16:00, These are the start and finish times of the sessions and activities for the day are scheduled accordingly. Our clubs are not drop-in sessions and due to safety and staffing, dropping off and collecting children at times different to your booked slot is not possible i.e. 09:00-16:00 or 08:30-15:30.
.There is a very important induction and safety talk at the beginning of each session which children need to attend. Your child may also find it difficult to integrate with the group and other children if they have not been there from the start, so it is not possible to join outside of these times or to alter your drop off and collection times from the set times available.
For safety reasons, no amendments can be made on the day of your booking. Please see above section re drop off and collection times, as only the set times stated are available.
Our full Terms and Conditions can be found here. We do not issue refunds for cancellations. However, we do offer the flexibility to transfer cancelled sessions to another day (subject to availability) or to receive a credit note for a future Green Planet session, which remains valid for six months from the date of issue. To qualify for a full credit, you must notify us by email at least 24 hours’ before the start of your booked session. Unfortunately, if the cancellation or amendment occurs on the day, or after the session has started, or at any point during the booked day, no credit or transfer will be issued.
We offer the flexibility to transfer your session to a different time slot on the same day, but only from the options available, and subject to availability. To qualify for a swap you must notify us by email at least 24 hours’ before the start of your booked session. Unfortunately, if the request is made on the day, or after the session has started, or at any point during the booked day, no transfer will be available. Any difference in price will have to be paid within 24hours. If the swap is of a lower value, a credit towards a future Green Planet session, will be added to your account, which remains valid for six months from the date of issue.
(This is also the onsite contact number for our holiday clubs)
