Woodland Outdoor Learning Centre
Our Woodland Outdoor Learning Centre is very nearby Staunton School, set in the beautiful countryside of the Vale of Belvoir, Nottinghamshire.
Take a tour around the Forest School site in the following two You Tube clips:
View a video of a Forest School session:
“It’s a Gruffalo!” – Forest School Art
Staunton Montessori School is a registered and accredited Forest School and has a dedicated and safe Forest School site with a traditional native American teepee and Alpine log cabin. The natural woodland area is a short walk from the Nursery School through a meadow. At Staunton Montessori the children are encouraged to engage creatively with nature and the outdoors.
Our children are also taken on guided nature walks in the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside where they learn about plant growth and the variety of animals and wildlife. The children are given special opportunities to appreciate the unspoilt natural setting of the school and the magic of the natural world.
Forest School is seen as an important part of the curriculum at Staunton Montessori School, complementing the Montessori and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Woodland outdoor learning fits in with the whole school vision of developing an organic curriculum that is centred around the individual child, enabling all children to reach their full potential socially, emotionally and academically during their time here.
Alpine Log Cabin at Forest School
“The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.”
~ Forest Schools.com
“I have been very impressed with the Forest School provision at Staunton Montessori which gives children additional physical opportunities and the confidence to learn and interact in the natural environment. This Scandinavian initiative is having a growing impact on young children in the UK and it has excellent benefits not just for health and well-being but also for environment understanding.” ~ Dr Miriam Stoppard OBE
For more about Forest Schools please see: http://www.forestschools.com/
Celebrating Christmas at Forest School:
Information for Parents: What to bring and what to wear at the Forest School
Staunton Montessori Forest School Policy
Staunton Forest School Photo Gallery
For more information about Forest Schools and Woodland Learning, please see: Forest Schools.com
Letter about Staunton Montessori and outdoor learning from local Head Teacher,
Mrs Helen Jennings:
“Dear Robert, Adie, Staff and Children at Staunton Montessori,
I am writing to thank you for making me feel so welcome when I visited your wonderful nursery this morning. As soon as I entered your building I was taken with how well the children were sitting and enjoying their reading time together. What a joy it is to see such amazing learning experiences as well as young children who are happy to talk about their time with you and sit so well, listening to each other’s views and taking turns.
I was so impressed when I went around the different learning spaces and by your close attention to providing such diverse and carefully planned provision. At Orston Primary we have a real focus on nurturing all aspects of a child’s development and I now understand why children from your nursery transfer so well to us at FS2.
Can I also add that I was thrilled to be invited to see the Forest School, as outdoor education is a real interest of mine. What a fantastic experience for your children, there is a lot to be said for children being free to explore and challenge themselves in a safe and open environment like yours.
I know research has shown that most adults would say that their happiest childhood memories are linked to adventures in the out of doors. Your children get to have adventures every day!
Thank you again for inviting me to have a tour.
Kind regards,
Helen Jennings, Head Teacher, Orston Primary School”
Woodland Mask
Enjoying Snowdrops in the Forest School
