Forest School Curriculum Rationale

At Rosebrook Primary School, the Forest School curriculum is an integral part of our whole-school approach to providing a well-rounded, enriching educational experience for all our pupils. Grounded in the ethos of child-led learning and exploration, the Forest School programme aligns seamlessly with our school’s vision and values, empowering our pupils to become happy, respectful, and successful citizens.

The Forest School curriculum is designed to enrich and enhance aspects of the National Curriculum while also addressing the unique needs and priorities of our school community. By providing regular, active time in nature, we aim to foster a deep connection between our pupils and the natural world, promoting their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. This approach is particularly beneficial for our pupils, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds and face significant challenges in their lives.

Through carefully facilitated Forest School sessions, our pupils have the opportunity to take an active role in their learning, exploring their interests and developing a range of essential skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. The child-led nature of the sessions allows our pupils to direct their own learning, nurturing their sense of agency and self-confidence – key priorities identified in our school improvement plan.

Furthermore, the Forest School curriculum supports the development of our pupils’ understanding of sustainability and environmental stewardship, aligning with our school’s commitment to preparing our children for the challenges of the 21st century. By engaging in hands-on activities that promote sustainable living and care for the planet, our pupils gain practical knowledge and skills that they can apply both within and beyond the school setting.

Whole School Aims

The Forest School curriculum is a vital component of our school’s vision and values, which are encapsulated in our DREAM core values: Determination, Respect, Enthusiasm, Ambition, and Growth Mindset. By providing opportunities for our pupils to develop these essential personal qualities and beliefs, the Forest School programme directly supports our overarching aim of empowering every child and member of staff to be a happy, respectful, and successful citizen.

The child-led, nature-based approach of Forest School also reflects our school’s guiding principle, “We can be whatever we dream,” by fostering a sense of wonder, curiosity, and self-belief in our pupils. Through their experiences in the natural environment, our children are encouraged to explore their interests, take risks, and push the boundaries of their own capabilities – all of which are crucial to realising their full potential.

Subject Vision

At Rosebrook Primary School, we believe that the Forest School curriculum plays a vital role in developing the whole child, nurturing their academic, social, emotional, and physical growth. By immersing our pupils in the natural world, we aim to cultivate a deep appreciation and respect for the environment, while also providing opportunities for them to develop essential life skills and a lifelong love of learning.

The intent of our Forest School programme is to empower our pupils to become confident, resilient, and self-directed learners, capable of navigating the challenges of the 21st century. Through hands-on, child-led activities, our pupils will gain practical knowledge and skills in areas such as sustainability, problem-solving, and teamwork – all of which are closely aligned with our school’s improvement priorities, particularly in the areas of personal development and curriculum development.

Communication with Stakeholders

To ensure the successful implementation and ongoing development of our Forest School curriculum, we will engage in regular and transparent communication with all stakeholders, including our pupils, parents, staff, and the wider community.

For our pupils, we will provide opportunities to share their experiences and showcase their learning through displays, presentations, and special events. This will not only celebrate their achievements but also inspire their peers to become actively involved in the Forest School programme.

For parents and the wider community, we will utilise a range of communication channels, such as the school website, newsletters, and social media, to highlight the benefits of the Forest School curriculum and how it supports our school’s vision and values. We will also invite parents and community members to participate in Forest School sessions, fostering a sense of shared ownership and investment in the programme.

Within the school, we will ensure that all staff are well-informed about the Forest School curriculum and its alignment with our overall school improvement priorities, further strengthening the cohesion and impact of our whole-school approach to personal development..

Addressing Inspection Feedback

The Forest School curriculum at Rosebrook Primary School directly addresses the key areas for improvement identified in our most recent Ofsted inspection. By providing our pupils with regular opportunities to engage in child-led, practical learning experiences in the natural environment, we are addressing the need to strengthen the precision and implementation of our curriculum in foundation subjects, such as geography and science.

Through the Forest School programme, our pupils will develop a deeper understanding of key concepts related to the natural world, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. The hands-on, experiential nature of the sessions will help to solidify their knowledge and skills, ensuring that they are truly learning more and remembering more.

Forest School One Page Overview

Forest School Overview

Forest Schools Curriculum Rationale Website

Environmental Partnerships: Pupil Ambassadors 

We have implemented a number of initiatives in recent years as part of our ongoing work towards achieving the Social Impact Schools Award. These efforts are designed to build environmental partnerships and inspire social action, as we encourage pupils to become active participants in caring for their communities and the planet.

They highlight how our school is nurturing a deep connection to nature and empowering pupils to become active environmental stewards through hands-on learning and reflection.

1. Forest Schools:We have our own team of Forest School trained staff who lead sessions throughout school from nursery to Y6. We have partnered with local environmental organisations such as Tees Wildlife Trust to broaden the Forest School Curriculum.  Our pupils take part in outdoor learning experiences in our on-site Forest School; the primary aim is to deepen pupils’ attachment to nature and to support their mental and physical health and wellbeing. They explore tree identification, nature-based art projects, and the study of ecosystems. We believe it fosters a deeper connection with nature while supporting our educational goals.

2. Junior Tree Champions Programme:We have been part of this initiative for three years now and in 2023, we were awarded Beacon School Status.

In 2024, we were awarded Outstanding Beacon School Status, one of only 2 schools nationally.

The Young Tree Champions programme supports schools to embark on impactful nature-based projects that connect pupils and teachers to trees and nature, helping them to develop the knowledge, skills and tools they need to speak up to protect trees and our planet. One of the projects we have completed involved researching how trees support biodiversity; we also looked at their impact on climate change. The project also directly linked to another of our programmes: Telling the Bees, with the introduction of pollinator patches.

Pupils actively participate in planting trees around the school and local community, learning about biodiversity, carbon capture, and climate change mitigation.

1. 3. National Education Nature Park (NENP) Participation: Our school is a proud participant in the National Education Nature Park initiative, where we have transformed our outdoor spaces into areas for environmental learning. Working with environmental organisations, we have mapped our grounds to identify habitat types, and enhanced biodiversity by growing fruit and vegetables in planters to attract pollinators. This has also enabled us to join in the fight against climate change by growing our own food to promote plant-based meals. Success is measured by pupils’ involvement in biodiversity surveys (e.g. RSPB survey conducted January 2025), wildlife observation, and sustainability workshops, all aimed at fostering a strong connection to nature and conservation.

1. 4. Energy Heroes: We have collaborated with local energy providers and environmental groups to launch the “Energy Heroes” programme. Pupils are empowered to take on the role of energy ambassadors, working to reduce the school’s energy consumption through energy-saving campaigns, audits, and awareness initiatives. This programme aligns with our curriculum and provides pupils with the opportunity to present their findings on energy consumption during assemblies and parent meetings. In Autumn 2024, Y5 classes embarked on this work during their maths lessons.

1. 5. Let’s Go Zero Climate Action Campaign: Our school has teamed up with the local council and sustainability groups to launch the “Let’s Go Zero” climate action campaign. Through this initiative, pupils engage in activities aimed at reducing carbon footprints, such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and promoting sustainable transportation. Pupils also take part in tree planting and community clean-up events, helping the school set and achieve sustainability goals while working to reduce our environmental impact.

6. School Connect Fundraise and Recycle: https://www.facebook.com/fundraiseandrecycleltd/?locale=en_GB

This project is a community-focused initiative aimed at promoting sustainability through recycling, while also raising funds for schools or community groups. The idea is to encourage all members of the school community to collect clothing and fabrics which are then either sold or turned into resources, with the funds raised being directed back to the school for uniform projects. In addition to helping the environment by reducing waste, this type of project helps educate pupils about the importance of recycling and environmental stewardship. It also brings the community together, creating a shared goal of supporting the school and promoting sustainability. We have raised hundreds of pounds to date and received various rewards such as trees and benches for our community to enjoy.

1. 7. Stockton Youth Climate Coalition: In collaboration with Stockton Borough Council and local community groups, we are actively involved in climate change awareness campaigns where pupils attend conferences to learn about environmental issues which they disseminate in school, leading to school and community-based action. This initiative encourages collaboration with parents, teachers, and local businesses, leading to lasting social action and tangible outcomes that help mitigate climate change.

1. 8. Telling the Bees Project: As part of our commitment to environmental education and community involvement, we have introduced the Telling the Bees project. This initiative is inspired by the ancient tradition of telling bees about important events in the household, and it has been reimagined to help pupils raise awareness about the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Pupils work with our trained beekeepers and environmental experts to learn about bee conservation, pollination, and the vital role bees play in biodiversity and food production. Through this project, pupils create bee-friendly habitats in our school garden, including planting nectar-rich flowers and installing bug hotels. The initiative also includes educational campaigns where pupils share their knowledge with the wider community, which is part of our future plans.  encouraging residents to take action to protect bees and other pollinators.

1. 9. John Muir Award & Rosebrook Nature Award: As part of our environmental curriculum, we offer pupils the opportunity to participate in these awards. These awards encourage pupils to explore, discover, and conserve wild places, while developing a deeper connection to nature. Pupils take part in a variety of outdoor activities, such as nature walks, wildlife tracking, and habitat restoration, all while learning about the importance of environmental stewardship. The programmes are structured to inspire pupils to spend time in nature, reflect on their experiences, and take positive action to protect the environment. Upon completion, pupils are recognised for their achievements with the John Muir Award, fostering a sense of accomplishment and commitment to sustainability. Pupils share their achievements and details of their projects during presentations to their parents and the whole school.

These initiatives are led by our eco ambassadors: Eco Warriors and Change Makers who not only engage other pupils with the natural world but also inspire social action that benefits both the school and the wider community.