Nursery World - Enabling Environments: Forest schools

Building a swing in the woods was a model of child-led learning, says Caroline Watts, Forest School leader with St George's Primary School, Wrotham.

From the moment St George's reception class burst out of the classroom, the children's innate need for the freedom to roam, explore and share their discoveries in the woodland is clear. They love to run, jump, climb and swing - all activities that help to build confidence, balance and co-ordination.

The children appreciate that if they want to swing at Forest School, then they have to make a rope swing for themselves. Building their own equipment brings a real sense of autonomy, which is central to the Forest School idea of child-led learning.

To build the swing, the children first joined me in a search for a suitable tree. This meant one with a strong branch that would support their weight and was also leaning away from the trunk.

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