Meet our Forest School Lead

Jasmine Johnson, Forest School Instructor

Rights and Responsibilities

From Years 7 to 10, the Forest School curriculum develops pupils’ understanding of rights, responsibilities, safe risk-taking, teamwork, and personal accountability while fostering emotional, social, intellectual, physical, and reflective growth. Learning is play-based, student-led, and scaffolded to meet the needs of SEMH learners and those with attachment or trauma-related challenges, ensuring safety, inclusion, and meaningful engagement.

In Year 7, pupils focus on understanding human rights and responsibilities, building on prior learning about identity and belonging. They explore the UNCRC and learn to distinguish needs from wants, identify trusted adults, and follow clear help-seeking steps. Safe, structured Forest School activities nurture respect, self-regulation, fair behaviour, and oracy skills. Pupils develop confidence, empathy, and emotional literacy, preparing them for future learning about civic participation and Fundamental British Values.

Year 8 extends these foundations through play-based outdoor challenges. Pupils engage in activities like den-building, clay modelling, and seasonal crafts, taking ownership of learning and practicing safe risk-taking. They continue developing emotional awareness by recognising and managing feelings, while teamwork, leadership, negotiation, and shared decision-making enhance social responsibility. Structured support ensures SEMH learners experience success, fostering confidence, resilience, and respect. The unit also prepares pupils to consider and value the perspectives of others in the next focus on diversity and inclusion.

Year 9 further develops responsibility, collaboration, and problem-solving. Pupils refine safe risk-taking, leadership, and teamwork skills while completing more complex activities, including creative den-building, clay modelling, and seasonal crafts. Emotional regulation, empathy, and self-reflection are strengthened, supporting effective peer collaboration. Intellectual skills are developed through planning, decision-making, and evaluating outcomes, while spiritual growth is encouraged via connection with nature and mindful reflection. Tasks are carefully tailored to individual needs to consolidate safe, responsible, and inclusive engagement, preparing students for diversity and inclusion themes.

Year 10 focuses on leadership, autonomy, and self-directed learning. Pupils take ownership of learning through goal-setting, activity planning, and problem-solving in outdoor environments. Emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence continue to develop alongside teamwork, negotiation, and social responsibility. Critical and creative thinking, observation, reflection, and physical skills—such as coordination, strength, and fine motor control—are further enhanced. Engagement with nature fosters personal meaning, respect, and wonder. This unit consolidates rights and responsibilities across multiple domains, ensuring pupils are equipped to value diverse perspectives and participate safely, responsibly, and empathetically in both Forest School and wider contexts.

Across all years, the curriculum emphasises the connection between rights and responsibilities, embedding self-regulation, empathy, respect, and accountability into every activity. It provides a safe, inclusive framework that develops independence, resilience, and personal growth while preparing learners for subsequent themes of diversity, inclusion, and community participation.