FAQs
The most common frequently asked questions we get
What is forest school?
What is a forest school?
Forest School is an outdoor, child-led learning experience that encourages exploration, resilience, and independence in nature. It follows the six principles of Forest School, promoting emotional well-being, social skills, and hands-on learning.
Are there many forest schools?
Yes! There are over 200 forest schools across the UK.
What are the forest school principles?
Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. In order to achieve this, all forest schools share 6 key principles:
- Long term: It’s a series of regular sessions, rather than one off visits to allow for learning and development
- Holistic development: Each forest school aims to promote physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual aspects of the learners
- Natural environment: As suggested in the name, learning takes place in a natural setting, ideally a woodland or other outdoor environment – this is to foster a connection with the natural world
- Supported risk taking: Learners are encouraged to take appropriate risks in a controlled and supportive environment, fostering resilience, confidence, and independence.
- Qualified practitioners: Forest schools are led by qualified practitioners to provide a safe learning environment
- Learner centred: The learning process is driven by the interests and needs of the learners, allowing them to explore, discover, and make choices about their learning.
Is forest school safe?
Yes! Our experienced leaders follow strict safety guidelines, ensuring a secure, supervised environment. We encourage managed risks, helping children gain resilience and confidence in a natural setting.
Who can attend?
What age groups can attend Forest School?
Our Forest School welcomes children from 6 months to 14 years.
- Early Years (6 months – 8 years): Sensory-rich outdoor learning tailored to young explorers.
- Self-Directed Learning Team (5 – 14 years): A flexible, individual-led approach that allows children to shape their own learning experiences.
- Home Education Family Groups (5+ years): A unique opportunity to be guided through nature with a range of curricula-based and natural history activities, delivered indoors and outdoors, especially for Home Educators.
I have children under the age of 5, can I bring them to talk:Wildlife?
Unfortunately, not quite yet, but we do have a woodland creche for under 5’s where you can drop off your toddler for a couple of hours whilst you take part in talk:Wildlife’s learning.
How can I enrol my child in Forest School?
You can join us by:
- Emailing
us on info@forestschoolforlife.org to check availability and session
options.
- Contacting
us directly 07830379520 to arrange a viewing or get more information.
Do you offer Home Education sessions?
We’re proud to partner with talk: Wildlife to offer sessions for home educators. For more information, check out our Home education page
Tell me about your Holiday Club
Our Holiday Club is for children age 5+ (unless they already attend FSFL as an under 5, and then they can pick up additional sessions as required) and we have a range of forest school and nature based activities throughout the School holidays. We teach new skills, the children build new friendships within different social groups and generally keep busy, active and healthy playing outdoors.
Holiday Club runs from 9-4 and you can either bring a packed lunch or have a hot meal. We are Vegetarian and a no nut setting. Ask for more information about creating a healthy lunchbox.
Other questions
What do children learn at Forest School?
Children develop a wide range of skills, including but not limited to;
- Confidence & Independence – Making decisions, solving problems, and exploring freely.
- Resilience & Emotional Well-being – Learning through challenges in nature.
- Social Skills & Teamwork – Engaging in cooperative activities.
- Creativity & Critical Thinking – Hands-on discovery and imaginative play.
- Physical Development – Strengthening coordination through outdoor movement.
- Environmental Awareness – Understanding sustainability and caring for nature.
Are you able to cater to children with SEND requirements?
Yes! We have trained practitioners in place who are qualified to handle complex SEND requirements.
What should children wear to Forest School?
Since our sessions take place outdoors in all weather, children should have access to:
- Waterproof clothing (jacket, trousers, and wellies).
- Layers to adjust for temperature changes.
- Comfortable, outdoor-appropriate clothing that can get muddy!
We have a more comprehensive kit list for families to access.
What happens if my child has allergies or dietary requirements?
We take allergies very seriously and ensure a safe environment for all children. Please notify us of any food or environmental allergies when enrolling, so we can make accommodations. We maintain strict protocols for handling allergens and provide alternative activity options when needed.
What about when it rains?
Forest School happens in all weather, except in cases of extreme conditions. Rain provides an exciting sensory experience, and children love splashing in puddles, watching raindrops on leaves, and feeling the fresh air!
With proper waterproof clothing, and spare kit, they stay warm, dry, and engaged while learning in nature.
What about when it’s really cold?
Cold weather is another valuable learning experience! Children are encouraged to layer up with thermal clothing, hats, gloves, and waterproof outerwear. We incorporate warm-up activities, fire-building, and shelter-making to keep children comfortable. Learning how to adapt to the seasons is a key part of Forest School.
How do babies cope when they can’t yet walk?
Babies experience Forest School through sensory exploration—feeling textures, hearing nature’s sounds, and observing light and movement. Caregivers and facilitators support them with tactile play, outdoor tummy time, and movement-based activities to encourage engagement with the natural world.
How do children transition to big school?
Forest School equips children with the confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills needed for any learning environment. Through self-led exploration, teamwork, and emotional literacy, children develop strong foundations that ease the transition to formal schooling and beyond.
What is your approach to sustainability?
We are a sustainable setting, integrating eco-friendly practices into daily activities. Children learn about:
- Conservation and habitat restoration.
- Eco-conscious choices, like using natural materials.
- Respect for nature, fostering lifelong environmental responsibility.
My Child receives government funding, can I use this to pay for my sessions?
Essentially, we apply for your funding which is then deducted from your monthly invoice. We annualise your payments, so you are always paying the same amount each month. Your funding is deducted at either 2.5 or 5 hours a day depending on your contract.
Can we Flexi-Ed with Forest School for Life?
Yes, but this depends on the school you chose. Some local primary schools are happy to engage with families to enable children more flexibility and you can visit us a few days a week in conjunction with your formal school placement.
No such thing as a 'silly question'
Above are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about forest schools. If your question isn’t answered here, don’t worry!
If there’s anything not answered above, or you’d like more details on anything, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.
No question is too big or too small, and we’d love to hear from you!
Next steps
We’d love to show you around our forest school in person. You’ll have the opportunity to see all the different areas in use, and ask all the questions you have! Please use the buttons below to get in touch or book a visit.