One of the projects currently being worked on is Forest School. One of the Teaching and Learning Support Practitioners in The Sanctuary is currently gaining experience of delivering forest schooling and will embark on setting up The Sanctuary’s own forest school. Through activities in the restorative environments of the school farm, allotments and woods, learners will learn the essential skills required not only to help with their attainment but ultimately to personally grow and develop. Forest Schooling has proven benefits such as social and emotional development, academic attainment, school attendance, and creating an environmental attitude and knowledge.

Many learners, especially those with social, emotional and mental health needs often struggle to cope with the classroom environment. Perseverance is a key skill that we will be focusing on as for many of our learners, engaging with the natural environment and forest habitats is new and unchartered. They will be learning lots of new skills which will be difficult at first, such as making forest, cooking outdoors and team building. Determination and grit will be needed as learners navigate their new skill set and see how capable they are.