Thurs PM Saplings, home ed Forest School at Westonbirt Arb Spring 2027

Saplings a forest school at Westonbirt Arboretum for KS1 age and below home educated young people, run by Learning with Nature Learning With Nature run Saplings, a Forest School session for home educated young people at our forest school area in Westonbirt Arboretum. Learning with Nature have run outdoor learning sessions for schools and youth groups, and Forest School for over 10 years at Westonbirt Arboretum working in partnership with Forestry England. Along with outreach activities and Forest School Sessions in schools for many years. Sessions will always have at least one Level 3 Forest School leader present. Sessions are 1.5 hours long and will be open to any young person who is of school age (4, 5, 6, 7 years old) and would be in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 at the time of the course. We will expect a parent/guardian to accompany the young person during the session. The sessions are available to book termly and run during school term times. Sessions focus on developing the young persons imagination, creativity and self-esteem whilst exploring and learning about the wonderful natural environment of the arboretum. Forest School helps to get everyone back to nature with a wildlife focus, creating a sense of woodland wonder and develops an outdoor knowledge through nature-based learning sessions. We draw from wide areas of the curriculum encouraging development in areas of maths, english, science, geography, history and art whilst developing other key skills, for example encouraging communication skills in a group environment and physical skills by improving motor skills using tools. Research has shown that young people who play in natural environments undertake more diverse, creative and imaginative play, forming an important part of a young persons development. Every week there will be a theme and information sheets will be sent out the week before the session so if you choose you can arrive early at the Arboretum and use them during your exploration and adventures before the session begins to discover more about our theme for the week. You could maybe enjoy a picnic lunch, and hopefully bring along any ideas these sheets have sparked, maybe natural items you have gathered, or even tell the group what you have spotted on your stroll. Fires can be lit at the sessions, but we will leave it up to the young people to decide if they wish to light a fire and cook each week or only have one at the end of each half term. The cost of the 5-week course will be £50 plus Eventbrite fee. All materials used in the session will be provided in the cost, if we cook food will be provided unless you choose to bring your own items to cook over the fire. Siblings are charged at £45 plus Eventbrite fee, if they would be in reception, Year 1 or Year 2 if attending school, and only one adult is attending the sessions. If an extra adult wishes to attend the sessions then a full priced ticket must be purchased. Younger siblings, over 2years old who are pre-school age may join in the sessions at the lower rate £37.50, but please remember these sessions are primarily for Reception, Year1, and Year 2 age so we may be using tools and materials not suitable for the very young so it will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian to look after the younger attendee. Young people under the age of 2 years are free. Each full priced ticket for the course includes entrance into the arboretum for one parent/career attending the session with their young person. You are free to explore the Arboretum at your leisure on the day of your session. Please no dogs to attend sessions, they cannot be left tied up outside our area either as the session time is too long to leave them unaccompanied. All sessions are outside so please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and sensible footwear. Spring, Thursday 12:30-2pm, 5 sessions: 25th Feb, 4th, 11th, 18, 25th March 15th April - back up session in case of bad weather earlier in term If you are unable to attend a session, we are not able to offer any refund. • Only one parent/guardian/ adult can attend per booking. • These sessions are intended for young people who would be Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 in age. • Preschool age children can only attend if they have an older sibling attending the session and must pay the sibling rate. • Siblings rate, so long as on the same booking and only one parent/guardian is attending the session, if you wish to have a second parent/guardian to attend the session a full separate booking must be made. • Siblings under 24 months can attend free of charge, but if they wish to take part in the craft and activities a place must be booked. • NO dogs to attend sessions, or to be left tied up by the site during the sessions.