Forest School is a child-led long-term learning programme delivered by our qualified Forest School Instructor. Following a holistic approach to learning and development, Forest School is focussed on nurturing the ‘whole child’ through increasing their self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, empathy and social skills. 

Through reconnection with nature, children are involved with hands-on experiences and taking learning right back to basics. Forest School allows children to become immersed in learning by actively encouraging risk-taking, using their own initiative and pushing their own boundaries to develop key skills which will transfer not only into the classroom but to the child’s wider learning.

Autumn at Meadow View Farm School — Physical Forest Area and Forest School
This autumn, we have made significant improvements to our forest area to ensure it remains safe and engaging for all the children throughout the year. The pathway to the fire circle has been woodchipped to reduce wear from heavy footfall and to minimise slipping during the wetter, colder months. One of our biggest projects has been clearing the out-of-bounds area known as “Forbidden Island”. Over several weekends, old barbed wire was safely removed, and the space was mapped out with input and ideas from the children about how they would like to use it in the future.

We have restored an eroded section of pathway that had become slippery and posed a risk of falling into the ditch. The log wall continues to be an ongoing project, involving the whole school and providing a purposeful physical task for pupils who benefit from practical, hands-on work. We have also created a designated “wild area” within the forest which children can observe but not enter. This supports local ecology and teaches respect for nature, and this area will move each year to allow parts of the forest to rest and regenerate. Regular monitoring of large trees continues following our recent tree survey and crowning work to keep the area safe.

Children continue to benefit from a rotation of activities, including fire building and cooking, arts and crafts, using tools and construction, exploring nature and living things, as well as navigation and teamwork tasks.

Spring & Summer at Meadow View Farm School

It’s been a busy and exciting time down on the farm! Our lambs were born earlier this season and are growing fast — full of energy and curiosity. The sheep and alpacas have had their annual shear, just in time for the warmer weather. Over in the garden, pupils have been hard at work planting potatoes, broad beans, runner beans, courgettes and sunflowers, and it’s been wonderful to watch their care and pride as the plants begin to flourish. Our chicks have now grown up and are happily exploring their new enclosure, and we’re thrilled to have welcomed a new peahen, so Percy, our resident peacock, has some company! As always, these outdoor experiences continue to bring joy, responsibility and connection to all of us at Meadow View.

Please see our Progression Map below: