Forest School and OPAL

Forest School

Here at Shears Green Junior School, not only are we lucky enough to have our own onsite Forest school area which is used throughout the year by all year groups, but we also have our very own Qualified Forest School Leader, Mr Benson.


What is Forest School?

Forest School is an outdoor, nature-based learning ethos that focuses on the holistic development of the child and development of core skills and plays central part in the broad and balanced curriculum we offer at Shears Green Junior School.  

The sessions are every Wednesday and Thursday and are child-centred, via observation rather than direction, which is key. Children lead their own learning through play and enquiry. They are fully immersed in the outdoor environment during the sessions in all seasons and weather.  Each session is led by our Qualified Forest School Leader who plans sessions based on the children’s interests and learning that is taking place in the classroom. 

What are the key aims of our Forest School? 

  • To give children regular opportunities to explore the natural environment in a safe manner throughout all seasons
  • To encourage the children to appreciate, respect and care for the natural world
  • To give children the opportunity to learn and investigate at their own pace
  • To give children opportunity to benefit from the positive physical and mental wellbeing that regular interaction with the outdoors can provide
  • To enhance the schools’ values of courage, curiosity, kindness
  • To offer real life opportunities for children to develop through our character curriculum
  • To enhance children’s thinking, problem solving, decision making and oracy skills
  • To appreciate the need for identifying risks and managing their own personal safety
  • To support all areas of learning within the school curriculum & EYFS framework
  • To have fun and enjoy learning.

All we ask is that parents & carers provide their child with waterproofs and wellies for these days and left at school in a separate bag.  At the end of each term the children can bring the items home. Please see the attached leaflet that provides more information about the benefits of this activity.

Benefits of Forest School

Embracing the OPAL Approach - Our Journey to Enhanced Outdoor Play and Learning

At Shears Green, we are thrilled to embark on our journey of implementing the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) approach to enhance outdoor play and learning experiences for our students. As we begin this exciting adventure, we are committed to creating a stimulating and engaging outdoor environment that fosters creativity, imagination, and social interaction.

Currently, our outdoor play spaces feature a range of play equipment that encourages active and imaginative play. We have a sand pit where students can dig, build, and explore, allowing them to engage in sensory play. Our dress-up area provides opportunities for role-playing and storytelling, enabling students to unleash their creativity and express themselves. In addition, we have incorporated tyres and small world toys into our outdoor play spaces, offering students the chance to engage in open-ended play and develop their problem-solving abilities. These play resources have already proven to be popular among our students, sparking their curiosity and encouraging collaboration.

As we progress on our OPAL journey, we are excited to announce that we will be introducing new play equipment each term. These additions will complement and enhance our existing resources, offering fresh opportunities for exploration and discovery. By regularly updating our outdoor play spaces, we aim to inspire our students' imaginations and ensure they have access to a wide range of play experiences.

Join us on this exciting journey and witness the positive impact of OPAL on our school community. Stay tuned for updates on our new play equipment additions and the wonderful experiences they will bring to our students.

For any questions or further information, please contact Mrs E Ellerington, who will be delighted to share more about our OPAL journey and the transformative power of outdoor play and learning.

Let's embark on this journey together, nurturing the joy and wonder of outdoor play at Shears Green.