An important part of life at the Forest Federation is the opportunity to experience a whole range of activities outside of the classroom.  

Your child will have the chance to experience many after school clubs and activities as well as many other extra-curricular events—designed to suit all tastes and interests.

All Federation school have dedicated outdoor learning spaces developed to extend opportunities for our children to take their learning outside the classroom walls. This will look different in each school but include outdoor classrooms, artificial grass areas and dedicated outdoor reading areas.

At least two school trips are organised per academic year for each child, linked closely to the themes being studied in school.  As well as exciting day trips, we offer residentials to all KS2 children. 
Year 3 take part in a one night local residential (The Frontier Centre, Irthlingborough).

Year 4 take part in a two night residential focused on outdoor and adventurous activities.

Year 5 and 6 take part in a four night residential.  These have included trips to Paris, the Isle of Wight and Suffolk in previous years. 

All residential trips have been a huge success and the children make lifelong memories with their friends. 

Forest Schools

^{What is Forest School?}

Forest school is an exciting educational experience for children in the natural environment, offering an innovative approach to outdoor play and learning. Forest School is guided by the following principles outlined by the Forest School Association:

• Principle 1: Forest school is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

• Principle 2: Forest school takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

• Principle 3: Forest school aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners

• Principle 4: Forest school offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

• Principle 5: Forest school is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

• Principle 6: Forest school uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning

All children from Reception to Year 6 enjoy weekly sessions at Salcey Forest in Northamptonshire. Sessions are often linked to the Curriculum Topic. 

 

^Clubs

Your child will have the opportunity to take part in a range of clubs throughout the year.  These may include:

• Football
• Rugby
• Basketball
• Writing club (The Scribe Tribe)
• Gymnastics
• Dance
• Music 

^Music

You child will also have the opportunity to take part in music lessons at school.  These are provided through NMPAT and are chargeable to you.  At the moment we offer:

• Guitar
• Violin 
• Drumming (Gayton only)
• Piano 

If you would like to find out more about the music services we offer, please speak to the school office. 

The Forest Federation Equestrian Team 

The NSEA is the recognised body for equestrianism in schools throughout the UK, providing inter-schools competitions for team and individual riders at state & independent schools as well as colleges of further education. Their aim is to promote and encourage the participation in and recognition of equestrian sport within schools in Great Britain.

The NSEA has something for everyone on their equestrian journey.  They offer competitions across a range of disciplines that will challenge the children’s abilities as they gain in experience and confidence.  These include:

• Becoming an experienced horse man or women relies on an ability to gain a depth of knowledge in different areas of equestrian sport. Most of the most famous show jumpers, eventers, jockeys and dressage riders in our country learnt their craft in different disciplines and the NSEA encourage our members to do the same.
• Whilst competing as part of a team, riders learn to communicate, compromise, be supportive of each other enjoy the successes that can be created from trust and a belief in each other.  Representing The Forest Federation in equestrian sport is as significant as being part of the rugby, netball or hockey squad and the children can compete at grass roots, county, regional and national level through the NSEA.

The Forest Federation is fortunate enough to have children from many of our schools competing as both individuals and teams.