What is an FEI Forest School?

Forest Education Initiative (FEI) aims to increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people, of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between the tree and everyday wood products.

The need for such a greater understanding is vital. Woodlands provide environmentally sustainable building materials and many other products essential to daily life. Wood products require less energy to manufacture and maintain than other non-renewable materials and they can be easily recycled. Woodlands benefit our environment and provide a great setting for education and recreation, as well as much-needed jobs in the rural economy. FEI brings this information to young people - in their homes, in schools and in colleges. Where possible, we encourage the public, especially young people, to use trees, timber and the forest environment for learning and gaining skills within their natural environment.

What is an FEI Forest School?

Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults, regular opportunities to achieve, and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.

FEI supports the development of local Forest School settings (FEI Forest Schools), by offering expertise and advice from the 9 FEI national partners and access to internal funding as a constituted FEI cluster group. Local support and expertise is networked locally through the FEI cluster groups.

It is proposed that all FEI Forest Schools will have:

• The support of the local FEI cluster group

• The support of your FEI co-ordinator

• A local woodland setting and therefore links to the learner's local community

• Leaders that have been CRB/Scottish Disclosure checked - trained in or training for Forest School qualifications (Level 3 BTEC and OCN) and with appropriate current First Aid qualifications

• On-going ecological impact assessment and management of the woodland site used for Forest School

• Comprehensive written risk assessments of the Forest School site and activities

• An up-to-date Health & Safety manual including guidelines on child protection, emergency procedures, risk assessment and equipment

• On-going evaluation of learning and personal development of all those involved in Forest School

• Commitment to external reviews and sharing of good practice within the network

All of the above will be covered in the recognised training. The FEI Forest School handbook is available from Sue Williams (see contact details) at a cost of £15.00 inc P&P.

For further details about Forest School research go to the Forest Research website to download the most recent report from EEngland.