Mr Tom's Forest School

Mr Toms Forest School was first established back in 2021 by Miss Harwood and the Amazing, Kind and Hard-working Mr Tom. Mr Tom worked at Iwade School for many years and was an amazing individual who we all like to remember. He was such an inspiration to us all that when he sadly passed away, we decided to name our Forest School after Mr Tom in his memory.

Mr Tom's FS Site back in 2021 - When we first started...

Mr Tom's Forest School July 2024 - Growing and Improving Daily...

At Bourne Alliance, years 1, 3 and 5 will take part in 10 Forest School Sessions over the school year. The sessions will run over 2 terms. This will enable the children to experience the different seasons throughout the year. The Children at Bourne Alliance will attend a two-hour session either in the morning or in the afternoon. This allows all children in those year groups to take part and build on their Forest School Skills and knowledge as they progress up through the school.

Our plans for this current academic year (September 24 - July 25) are to have the children visit Forest School in the following order.

Term 1 - Year 3

Term 2 - Year 5

Term 3 - Year 3

Term 4 - Year 1

Term 5 - Year 5

Term 6 - Year 1

Forest School Timetables and supporting information will be sent out to the parents the last week of the term before your child is due to start their Forest School Journey. They can also be found using the links at the bottom of this page.

(Please note that the Forest School Timetable for Term 1 September 2024 will be sent out 1st week back in Term 1.)

Class Dojos

The children will still have the opportunity to earn their Class Dojos, whilst at Forest School, Forest School Dojos will be awarded for the following behaviour:

1 x Forest School Dojo - Ready and Listening

These dojos will be awarded for arriving sensibly and safely , sitting nicely showing they are ready and listening to the Forest School Daily Safety Briefing.

1 x Forest School Dojo - Safe

These dojos will be awarded for showing 'Safe' behaviour whilst at Forest School. This may be shown whilst den building, during tool work and also for the duration of their time spent at Forest School.

1 x Forest School Dojo - Respect

These dojos will be awarded when the children show the Forest School Site, other children, equipment and staff respect, respecting the Forest School Site itself and all of its equipment, using the equipment safely and respectfully and treating the school grounds with respect and care.

Please click here to view our photo gallery

Please click here for our Termly Forest School Newsletters

What do the Children think?

"I enjoyed making a pond with my friends"

"I enjoyed making things and singing songs with Miss Harwood"

" I loved the Gardening and the Creativity"

"I like that you can build almost anything from Natural materials."

"Forest School is very three R's , It teaches us to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' - Henry

"We are rooted into fun" - Reece

"Forest School allows us to take adventures and try new things"

"Forest School is really fun"

"We wish we could do it every term"

"We got to make dens"

"We loved finding creatures, we even found a slowworm"

"We loved cooking Marshmallows on the campfire"

"When we shared moments outside it was like we were camping"

"This is the best day of my life"

"Can I stay?"

"I like the squelchy mud"

"I liked to make cafes"

"Forest School is so fun, I wish every school had one"

"The Best Ever"

"I like building ponds for tadpoles"

"Forest School is my favourite subject like maths"

"Forest School is amazing, and I love everything about it"

"I enjoyed digging in the mud at Forest School, it is the best"

"I did not want it to end"

Jaxon - "This is the Muddiest, Best, Muddiest, Best Day Ever!"

Thelma - whilst laying on a hammock with her hands behind her head "This is the life !"

Miss Harwood "Fantastic Tidying...." "Child - Thank you, Miss Harwood. I just want the other children to have the same amazing experience I have had"

What will the children learn?

Children attending Forest School will learn a variety of new skills including:

Knot Tying
Shelter and Den Building
Cooking on the campfire
Woodland Crafts
Whittling and other tool techniques like ‘Sawing’ ‘Drilling’ ‘Splitting Wood’ ‘Carving’
Weaving
Climbing
Exploring
Pond Dipping
Building
Fire Lighting Techniques
Tree and Plant Identification
Story Telling
Safe Tool Use
Animal Tracks
Nature Games
How to grow vegetables ..
All about the environment and what we can do to protect our wildlife and surrounding areas.

The list is endless…

Donations..

In order for the children to participate in the above activities we rely on donations from the local community and public, If anyone would like to help our Forest School by donating any of the below items please feel free to email me on forest.school@ba-mat.org.uk

Thank you.

Items we will always be happy to accept :