Northern Ireland Forest School Association

A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.’

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.

By participating in simple achievable tasks and activities, on a regular basis in a woodland environment, each participant has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, sound emotional and social skills and experience first hand the landscape character of the local area.

Forest Schools has demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through play and discovery, have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Forest School programmes run throughout the year, going to the woods in all weathers (except for high winds). Children use full sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self motivated.

NIFSA deliver training to teachers and youth leaders in nationally accredited Forest School qualifications.