Hands-on outdoor learning experiences for primary school children

Forest Schools

Lewisham has a Forest Schools and Education Policy (updated March 2025) which explains what is requited from groups who wish to use our sites.

What is a Forest School?

“A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.” (Sarah Blackwell)

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in an outdoor environment each child has an opportunity to develop intrinsic

Guided walk with a local nursery

motivation, sound emotional and social skills. These, through self-awareness can be developed to reach personal potential.

Forest Schools have demonstrated success with children of all ages through play, learning about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. 

The process of choosing which schools or nurseries can use the site

Any group wishing to use a site must first fill out a Lewisham Council Forest Schools Hire Form. All questions must be answered in full or your place will not be considered. Forms will be evaluated by Lewisham’s Nature Conservation Team and a decision made considering order of application and the following criteria:

  • Priority will be given to Lewisham nurseries/schools
  • Relevant and robust processes in place (e.g. risk assessment, safeguarding)
  • Activities proposed
  • Monitoring/mitigating measures proposed

More information can be found in Lewisham’s Forest Schools and Education Policy. Alternatively, please contact the nature conservation officer. For sessions in parks, please contact Emily Millhouse.

NB: Please note that we have very limited availability for Forest Schools.

We have two Forest Schools using Garthorne Road Nature Reserve for nursey children aged between 4 months and 5 years old by Seedlings Day Nursey and St William of York Primary School and supported by Lewisham Council and the Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve. Forest School sessions are child led to accommodate individual learning styles. All staff are screened and DBS (enhanced) checked also to adhered to the Department for Education’s statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education, document and review this guidance at least annually. All staff will be aware which support safeguarding, including this child protection and safeguarding policy, the staff code of conduct, the role and identity of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and deputy, the behaviour policy.

The Friends of Garthorne Road Nature Reserve fully support the Forest schools has it give children from many different cultures and socially deprived areas.