Pupils from Slater School connect to nature through Outdoor Learning in the National Forest

Pupils from inner city Slater Primary School in Leicester visited Shobnall Primary School in the National Forest to experience forest school activities and outdoor learning. 

Shobnall Primary School is a Champion School within the National Forest’s ‘Creating a Forest for Learning’ programme, with staff trained as forest school practitioners delivering regular outdoor learning sessions. Watch as pupils share their outdoor spaces and take part in new activities such as den building, pond dipping and leaf printing with their new friends from Slater Primary.  

A study by Natural England found that 93% of schools believe outdoor learning improves the social skills of pupils, and 85% see a positive impact on behaviour; building character, confidence and resilience, which in turn improves learning.  

Since our programme began more than 60% of primary schools in the National Forest have been supported with the delivery of regular outdoor learning sessions for their pupils, allowing them to reconnect to the natural world and offer a boost for their physical and mental wellbeing.  

We want to continue to be an exemplar for outdoor learning and that's why our vision is to support 100% of primary schools in the National Forest with developing their outdoor learning offer; providing opportunities for every school pupil in the Forest to benefit from learning outdoors, both within their school grounds and in local woodland settings.  

For this, we need your help. By donating to the National Forest you will be part of growing a greener future; helping to create woodlands accessible to everyone, supporting training for teachers to deliver outdoor learning activities, care for local woodlands and increase the opportunities for children to engage with the natural world across the National Forest.   

Find out how you can donate to the Forest, here.