Forest School Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to help us continue to grow and develop our fabulous Forest School provision at Cliff Lane.
Volunteering at Forest School can be for a session or a day, for a half term or a year. You don’t need to have experience in Forest School but a passion for learning outdoors in all weather is useful!
Whatever the reason, whoever you are, whatever your level of experience, we’d love to hear from you.
Why should I consider becoming a volunteer for Forest School?
Make a difference to the lives of our children, helping them feel a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them
Become part of a wonderful, supportive team providing fantastic opportunities, supporting holistic development and learning through fun experiences in our beautiful wooded Forest School spaces
Help children feel good about themselves. Forest School helps boost self-esteem and confidence and develops practical skills
If you are interested in pursuing a career in Forest School or Outdoor Learning this would be a fantastic opportunity to gain some experience.
Experience your own increased well being and improved physical and mental health through interaction with nature
Develop your own skills and grow your knowledge alongside the children e.g. tools, fires, native plants, cooking, knots
What would I be doing?
Assist Forest School Leaders with the running of practical activities, craft activities, development and maintenance
Support children in their learning and development during their timetabled Forest School sessions
Support children to help them gain self-esteem and confidence
Help with upkeep of tools / equipment
Assist with supervision of children - ensuring our key elements Safety, Respect, Fun
Help set up and tidy up after the session
I'm interested in this opportunity but have some questions
Someone from our Forest School Team would be more than happy to discuss this with you! You can request a meeting with a member of the team by contacting our school admin or they can be found most afternoons at the Forest School gate during pick up.
When do the sessions run?
Our Forest School is used from 9am - 12pm and then 1pm - 3.15pm 4 days a week.
Our Little Forest Friends runs from 1.30pm - 3pm on a Tuesday afternoon.
What else do I need to know?
Volunteers will spend around half a day training with one of our Forest School Leaders. This will include -
An introduction to the Forest School ethos and principles
An opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of our Forest School areas, the environment and of its use as a learning resource
Some basic practical skills such as knots, shelter building, tool use and safe fire lighting
How we follow our 3 keys words at Forest School - safety, respect, fun
Cliff Lane values and motto at Forest School
There will be some policy and procedural documentation to go through including references, safeguarding and a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.
What do I do next?
If you would like to volunteer, then please complete our Dragonflies form and select 'supporting with class forest school sessions'. Dragonflies are our team of volunteers.
If you have any questions or would like an informal chat please do get in touch with one of the Forest School Team who would love to hear from you. The team is made up of Mrs Briggs, Mrs Constable-Simmonds and Mrs King.
“ I had decided to complete my Forest School training as a way of returning to work having been a stay at home parent for a number of years.
Chatting to my daughter's nursery teacher I discovered she was also doing her training and so we started to support each other with our learning.
Soon after this I began volunteering at Cliff Lane 2 days a week and so Forest School began.
I have been fortunate enough to have seen Forest School grow and develop hugely over the last 3 years - from our first days cutting back brambles to find a space to play in, developing activities, sourcing resources and now working with all classes at Cliff Lane every fortnight.
I am so very lucky to see the children having so much fun and growing and developing through the activities they choose at Forest School.
It has been an extremely rewarding experience on so many levels which all started from volunteering.” Hannah Constable-Simmonds