At Mulberry Silverdale Primary, our Forest School provision is an integral part of our wider curriculum intent, designed to inspire every child, nurture curiosity, and enable both pupils and staff to flourish. Rooted in the values of the Mulberry Schools Trust (MST), our approach reflects a commitment to equity, excellence and empowerment for all learners.
Forest School provides rich, first-hand outdoor learning experiences that build on children’s prior knowledge and deepen their understanding of the natural world. Through regular access to woodland environments, pupils develop strong interpersonal skills, resilience, independence and confidence as creative and critical thinkers. These experiences support our ambition to nurture compassionate, articulate and socially responsible young people who are prepared to contribute positively to their communities and wider society. In line with MST’s commitment to social justice and high expectations for all, Forest School at Mulberry Silverdale Primary is inclusive and accessible to every child. It is carefully designed to ensure all learners can engage with meaningful, progressive learning opportunities, with adaptive teaching enabling pupils to be appropriately supported or challenged as needed. This reflects our belief that every child should be empowered to succeed, regardless of their starting point. Forest School also embodies our curriculum values in action. Pupils demonstrate courage as they explore new environments, determination as they overcome challenges, and resilience as they persevere through unfamiliar tasks. They develop dynamism through problem-solving and creativity in open-ended outdoor learning, are inspired by the natural world and diverse experiences, and grow in ambition as they set and achieve personal goals beyond the classroom. Aligned with our “Happiness Ninjas” learning dispositions—ambition, courage, determination, resilience, inspiration and dynamism—Forest School provides powerful opportunities for personal development and character education. It enriches the curriculum through meaningful, experiential learning that promotes wellbeing, teamwork and emotional strength. Through this provision, pupils at Mulberry Silverdale Primary develop as confident, capable and socially responsible individuals. Forest School helps prepare them not only for the next stage of their education, but also for life as lifelong learners who are empowered to lead, achieve and make a positive difference in the world.
