Sustainability
How we embed sustainability into our curriculum
Sustainability at Forest School for Life: How does it fit into our 'Bigger Than Us' curriculum?
At Forest School for Life, creating a sustainable and eco-friendly setting underpins everything we do. We believe it is our duty to not only take care of our earth, but educate future generations on how to love and appreciate the world around them.
The UK government has outlined a Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for early years settings, aiming to integrate environmental education and sustainable practices into children’s learning experiences.
We are leading the way with our own strategies to become a role model for early years sustainability.
Key aspects of the government's sustainability agenda
Education plays a vital role in helping to tackle climate change and creating a better, greener world for future generations.
We can positively impact, influence and inspire communities by improving the sustainability of the environment in and around education settings.
To help achieve this, the Department for Education (DfE) has developed a sustainability and climate change strategy. The key aspects are as follows:
Climate education
Climate education
National education nature park
National education nature park
Eco-schools and sustainability leads
Eco-schools and sustainability leads
Reducing carbon footprints
Reducing carbon footprints
Hands-on environmental action
Hands-on environmental action
Conservation of our meadow
Our meadow is a vast, open space, where nature and adventure collide. Beneath the changing skies, birds chatter and sing their vibrant tunes, filling the air with music. High above, planes soar like silver arrows, whilst a grand circle of towering trees stand like loyal guardians, creating a safe and magical space to explore.
Our meadow plays a crucial role in increasing the biodiversity at forest school. Providing habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Allan Archer at Talk Wildlife monitors and tracks the ecological impact and ensure our meadow continues to thrive.
We are encouraging children to have a hands on approach to learning. Actively participating in planting, caring for, and harvesting their own fruits and vegetables. We’re also educating and fostering responsibility and a deep connection to nature. Imprinting healthy habits around food and lifestyles from the earliest ages.
Our children develop an understanding of ecosystems and learn about their role in protecting the planet. Permaculture encourages fair sharing of resources and actively promotes a sense of community and kindness to each other and nature.
Creating nature ponds
In 2022 we secured a grant to build our School’s first nature pond through Natural England. Our pond is surveyed regularly for newts. It enriches both the environment and the children’s learning experiences within nature.
The pond attracts a variety of wildlife, including beetles, dragonflies, and birds, creating a thriving ecosystem. It also provides a water source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators essential for plant life.
Our pond promotes conservation awareness and enables more hands-on learning as we pond dip and reference our ID books together.
Recycling and zero waste
We compost everything. Organic waste, like food scraps and leaves, is composted to enrich the soil and reduce landfill waste. We have eco-toilets which we also compost.
There’s not much we can’t upcycling & reuse – materials like wood, fabric, and paper are repurposed for crafts, shelters, and learning activities. Our resident chickens enjoy the delicious vegan food scraps, and their waste is also composted.
As an eco-friendly setting, we encourage reusable bags and containers and avoiding single-use plastics. Our nature-based learning curriculum engages hands-on activities that teach children about sustainability, conservation, and the impact of waste on ecosystems.
Living off grid with solar and rainwater harvesting
In 2024 we invested in Solar Power. This harnesses the sun’s energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels, providing clean, renewable electricity for lighting and keeping our fridges cool, and learning spaces effective.
In 2025 we invested in a Rainwater Harvesting system. Collecting and filtering rainwater ensuring a sustainable water supply for drinking, irrigation, and outdoor activities. Environmental education is part of our curriculum. Children learn first hand about sustainability, conservation, and the importance of renewable resources.
Having an off-grid system encourages problem-solving and adaptability, fostering a deeper connection with nature, we are independent of the grid and have developed resilience!
The future
We strive to lead by example, setting benchmarks for sustainability that inspire not only our community but also those around us.
By actively seeking ways to refine our practices and searching for exemplary role models in environmental stewardship, we aim to enhance our commitment to eco-friendly education.
As environmentally conscious guardians of our setting, we remain steadfast in our mission to nurture resilience, independence, and a profound respect for the planet through education and innovation.
Support for other schools
You can explore a detailed Climate Action Plan guide for schools here, and another resource with practical steps here.
Feel free to contact us if you’d like to visit and learn more about our own action plans. We’re happy to share information about what worked, alongside our own lessons learned.
Next steps
Do you want to offer your child a different experience? Perhaps traditional school settings aren’t nurturing their learning in the best way and you want to discuss a hybrid option? Whatever the reason, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.