Ofsted

The latest Ofsted information, in one place

Welcome to our Ofsted page

Welcome to our Ofsted page; a one‑stop hub designed to provide inspectors with clear, transparent access to the information they need about Forest School for Life. Here you will find our latest Ofsted reports, statutory policies, and curriculum details, all laid out for ease of reference.

This page can also be used by families and fellow professionals. Alongside the required documents, we share reflections and research inspired ethos, that explains why we do what we do, from our Forest School principles and permaculture values to our commitment to sustainability, community, and child‑led learning.

By opening our practice in this way, we aim to be both practical and welcoming: inspectors can quickly find the information they need, while families and colleagues can see how our ethos translates into everyday experiences. Whether you are here for compliance, inspiration, or reassurance, this page shows how Forest School for Life nurtures resilience, kindness, and confidence in children, while caring for the earth and building a strong community together.

At Forest School for Life, we value openness and trust.

Our latest Ofsted Report

Inspection date: 8 January 2025
Overall effectiveness: Good

Judgements:

Quality of education – Good
Behaviour and attitudes – Good
Personal development – Good
Leadership and management – Good

Summary for families:
Ofsted recognised the warmth of our welcome, the strength of our outdoor provision, and the way children thrive in our natural environment. Inspectors highlighted our ecological philosophy, rich language experiences, and strong safeguarding culture. Parents spoke very favourably about our setting, praising our family nature events and daily feedback.

Reflections from Professional Visitors

We welcome external reflections as part of our journey of continuous improvement. Peers and researchers have walked alongside us, leaving reflections that enrich our journey.

“Practitioners were deeply attuned to the rhythms of each child, allowing babies to rest and move at their own pace. This approach exemplifies how knowledgeable and responsive your team is.”

“What awed me was how integral the babies were to the community. Watching them play alongside older children, without separation, was magical.”

“From the moment children enter the setting, they are free to move as and when they please. There was a sense of freedom here that is truly special for this age group.”

These reflections echo Ofsted’s findings that children are confident, resilient, and supported by knowledgeable staff in a safe, nurturing environment.

Continuous reflection

We welcome Ofsted’s reflections as part of our journey of growth.
Alongside professional visitors, families, and our team, we continually reflect to ensure we offer every child the best start in life.

Safeguarding & Policies

Safeguarding is at the heart of our practice. Click on the links below to check out our policies and procedures.

[Updated December 2025]

{Link to} Safeguarding Policy
{Link to} Behaviour and Play Policy
SEND Information
Complaints Procedure
Handbook and Prospectus

We continually review and strengthen our procedures. Following a gate incident in December 2024, we took immediate action, installing additional gates and revising arrival and collection procedures. Inspectors confirmed arrangements are safe and secure.

Outcomes, progress and transition

Children at Forest School for Life:

Develop independence, resilience, and confidence.
Have their individual routines respected, with sleep and care needs met in attuned ways.
Learn ecological responsibility through planting, harvesting, and caring for animals.
Experience rich language and communication through storytelling, song, and imaginative play.

Children leave Forest School for Life ready for the next stage of their journey. They carry with them resilience, confidence, and kindness, qualities that help them thrive in mainstream education. Their grounding in nature, community, and sustainability ensures they enter school not only prepared to learn but prepared to care for others and the world around them.

EYFS Framework & Compliance

We meet and exceed the EYFS statutory requirements by embedding them in our Forest School ethos.

Prime areas of learning are nurtured through nature-based experiences.
Children’s agency and freedom of movement are central to our provision.
SEND children are supported through close collaboration with families and external professionals.

Forest School Research Highlights

Resilience, confidence & community: Studies show Forest School fosters confidence, independence, language development, and teamwork. Children develop resilience and emotional intelligence through regular outdoor experiences.
Sustainability & permaculture ethos: Forest School principles emphasise sustainable site management and nurturing a long-term relationship with nature. Linking this to permaculture’s “fair share” values reinforces our off-grid practices (rainwater, solar, recycling, upcycling).
Nature Deficit Disorder: Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods highlights how lack of nature exposure harms children’s wellbeing, while regular contact restores attention, reduces stress, and builds empathy.
Benefits to eyesight: Outdoor play reduces risk of childhood myopia. Research shows one extra hour outdoors daily can cut myopia rates by 45%.
Mental health & regulation: Forest School participation improves self-esteem, emotional regulation, and wellbeing. UK studies show children attending Forest School demonstrate better resilience and reduced stress.
Healthy eating & food awareness: Forest School approaches embed gardening, foraging, and cooking, helping children understand food provenance, nutrition, and healthy choices for life.
Microbial Diversity Exposure: Playing in soil, grass, and natural environments exposes children to a wide range of beneficial microbes. These microbes help colonise the gut, strengthening the microbiome and supporting immunity.
Physical Activity Stimulates Digestion: Running, climbing, and balancing outdoors physically stimulate the intestines, helping food move smoothly through the digestive tract.
Stress Reduction & Cortisol Drop: Spending time in nature lowers stress hormones like cortisol. Lower stress improves gut motility and reduces tummy discomfort.
Mixed-age benefits: Research highlights how mixed-age play fosters natural scaffolding, empathy, and community bonds.
Flexible home education: Nature-based learning supports lifelong environmental stewardship and can extend into home education models.
Conservation & “Bigger than Us”: Forest School research stresses environmental awareness and stewardship, linking local practice to global ecological responsibility.
Staff CPD & wellbeing: Forest School principles require qualified practitioners who continually develop their practice. Embedding whole-setting CPD each term aligns with national standards.
Family partnerships: Research shows parent involvement in Forest School strengthens community ties and children’s outcomes.

What makes a Forest School?

The Six Forest School Principles (Forest School Association):

Long-term process: Regular, sustained sessions over time.
Natural environment: Takes place in woodland/nature to build deep connections.
Holistic development: Promotes resilience, confidence, independence, creativity.
Supported risk-taking: Children learn to assess and manage risks.
Qualified practitioners: Led by trained Forest School leaders.
Learner-centred processes: Child-led exploration and reflection.