Deep Roots Forest School (also see Emotional Support & Therapy page)
Students sharing their experiences...
"The tools help me make stuff and I like starting the fires. In class it helps me make friends."
"When we went to Forest School it helped me make things and I also enjoyed playing there with my friends. I liked cutting the wood too. "
"I really enjoyed climbing high on the trees and learning how to make camps. I really enjoyed making new friends and looking at the bull. "
"I liked climbing trees, making fires, feeding the cows and eating lots of different food."
Alternative Learning Experiences that enrich and support self esteem and positivity.
At Deep Roots we truly believe that every child is talented and unique. We hope, through our holistic learning practises, that we will give your child a chance to reach their full potential and transfer these skills into their educational setting.
We are an entirely outdoor setting, other than toilets, so we need to ensure your child is provided with the correct essentials to participate.
Programme Details:
Our programme takes place on a Tuesday during term time.
Sessions will run from 10am to 2pm.
Your child will be dropped off through transport organised by your school.
What to bring:
Please provide a packed lunch and a bottle of water. We have the facilities to refill bottles throughout the day.
We have a “no nuts” policy in our facility due to allergies so please can we ask you not to include anything with nuts in your child’s packed lunch.
A mask/face covering is required by your child and members of staff to be worn from the Drop off Zone to the woodland site and in the toilets on the college site. Please let us know if your child is exempt.
Kit list
We will be outdoors all day, every day, come rain or shine!
To ensure your children are comfortable and prepared, please bring the items listed below to Forest School every week, labelled with your child's name.
Please note: on days when there is any rain or drizzle, we would ask you to drop the children off dressed in their waterproofs. On sunny days, we ask you to apply a first layer of sunscreen before you drop your child off but send the cream in with them in their bag. We will then remind children to re-apply every 3-4 hours or as required.
Children will need a named water bottle and a backpack that is suitable for outdoors that your child can carry.
what to wear in SPRING/Autumn
- Waterproofs trousers and Jacket
- One pair of comfortable trousers (jogging bottoms or leggings)
- One long sleeved t-shirt or top
- One thick jumper
- One fleecy zip up jacket (in the backpack, just in case)
- Two pairs of socks. On the bottom, one thin cotton sock, and the top, a thick wool or fluffy bed sock
- Wellies or sturdy closed toe shoes (which you don't mind getting wet and muddy!)
- Spare trousers & socks in backpacks
What to wear in summer
- Waterproofs trousers and Jacket
- One pair of comfortable trousers (jogging bottoms or leggings)
- One t-shirt, light long sleeved t-shirt
- One fleecy zip up jacket (in a backpack just in case)
- One pair of socks
- Wellies or sturdy closed toe shoes (which you don't mind getting wet and muddy!)
- A sun hat for sunny days
- Spare trousers & socks in backpacks
What to wear in winter
- Waterproofs trousers and Jacket
- Base layer - thermals
- Next bottom layer - fleece or other warm tracksuit bottoms
- First top layer - long sleeve t-shirt or thin jumper
- Second top layer - fleece jumper
- Third top layer - fleece jacket
- Neck scarf
- Hat and gloves
- Four pairs of socks. Two pairs to wear (on the bottom, one thin cotton sock, and the top, a thick wool or fluffy bed sock) and two spare pairs to be packed in the backpack
- Extra Jumpers to be packed in backpack for really cold days
- Snow boots or sturdy warm outdoor boots
Our clothing recommendations
Please note these recommendations are based on our prior experience, working with children outdoors. You know your child best but bear in mind spending an hour each day outside is very different to being outside all day! We ask that you send them with layers as a precaution and to ensure they are comfortable and get the most out of the experience.
Snacks:
We provide snacks during the day which will often be prepared on a campfire. We consider this to be one of the most important moments of our day, a time to gather and reflect and work as a team as we prepare and enjoy our food.
Please complete our parent consent form and medical information form and return to your child’s setting. Do not hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions. We look forward being a part of this wonderful journey with your child.