At Merton Court our on-site Forest School offers children a chance to step outside the classroom and into a world of natural wonder—right on our doorstep.
Forest School has been an important part of life at Merton Court since September 2012. Based on a philosophy that began in Scandinavia in the 1950s. Forest School at Merton Court uses the natural environment as a powerful space for learning and discovery in our on-site Forest.
At its heart, Forest School encourages children to develop independence, improve their decision-making skills and build self-esteem through small achievable tasks. By spending regular time outdoors in our on-site woodland space, children naturally grow in confidence and curiosity—learning through play, exploration, and hands-on experience.
Self-esteem is a key part of healthy development, and Forest School helps nurture this through meaningful praise, a strong sense of personal achievement and lots of opportunities to succeed at their own pace.
Forest School sessions are led by trained practitioners and supported by teachers and assistants. While adults are always on hand to guide and keep things safe, children are encouraged to take the lead—choosing their own activities, solving problems, and developing their own ideas.
Here at Merton Court, our school ethos—”Head, Hand, Heart”—is fully embedded in our Forest School approach. We take a holistic view of every child’s development with activities carefully planned around their interests and stage of learning. Children are encouraged to explore using all their senses and over time they become familiar with the routines and rules of Forest School. This growing confidence allows them to take more ownership of their learning and builds a strong sense of belonging—many children begin to speak of “our” Forest School and show huge respect for the environment.
Where your child’s learning comes to life – naturally!
Each session ends with reflection encouraging children to consider their learning and make connections with our school values and habits of mind. Sessions are closely linked to both the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum, with explicit curriculum links and activities designed around the children’s interests.
Forest School also supports the wider curriculum, offering a rich real-life context for learning. Many children show improvements in independence, social skills, cooperation, concentration, and emotional regulation through regular sessions.
Every week, children from Early Years to S1 take part in Forest School—rain or shine. And once a year, we invite parents to join us for a special Forest School session led by their child. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic of outdoor learning together.
We’ve seen first-hand how the combination of freedom and responsibility in a safe, natural setting can help children become more confident, resilient, and eager to learn—not just in the forest, but far beyond it.