Elmsbrook Forest School Vision
Introduction
Elmsbrook Community Forest School was built as a result of a successful funding application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments’ Pocket Park Fund in 2020. It is a collaboration between Gagle Brook School and the local community (Elmsbrook Community Organisation, A2Dominion and Smarter Services (Grounds maintenance contractors)).
The School follows a well-established curriculum of outdoor education with its classes on the site, in accordance with their One Planet principles.
It is also planned as a resource for the Community, for individuals, families and groups to visit and enjoy the benefits of being in green space. We expect to have a variety of different areas: mown grass, long grass, scrub, young woodland, old established woodland and wetland for biodiversity. We hope to encourage people to come and observe the variety of wildlife, exchanging indoor activities for outdoor action and reflection, creating a healthier and more environment-friendly lifestyle!
The Forest School will aim to:
- Enable biodiversity to flourish
- Provide hands on interactive learning experiences for children and the community in a woodland/natural environment
Show people how to:
- Protect their local environment
- Encourage and celebrate biodiversity
- Reduce climate change
- Live more environmentally friendly and healthier lifestyles
Offer a whole community learning programme, Inspire positive behaviours and reduce behaviour that harms the environment by:
- Improving local knowledge
- Instilling values
- Fostering beliefs
- Shifting attitudes
- Education
