Forest School Policy To be reviewed October 2016

Transcription

1 Forest School Policy

2 George Washington School Forest School Policy Aim We aim to give children and practitioners a shared understanding of the ethos of a Forest School experience. The Forest school ethos encompasses practical activities in the natural environment designed to promote the development of self esteem and emotional intelligence leading to improved self confidence. This powerful approach enables young children to be independent, self-motivated, courageous, considerate and sets them up for life long learning. There are many important issues to be considered here and we aim to remain true to the Forest School ethos and approach. Environmental Considerations Forest School has environmental awareness at the heart of its ethos. Wherever possible, environmentally friendly products and recycled materials should be used when appropriate. Good practice should be modelled by adults showing children that the world in which we live in should be cared for. Involving children in site checks and planning environmental games will help support this. Health and Safety Considerations The Forest School programme will support young children to develop responsibility for themselves and others. It will even encourage early risk management strategies that will ensure that young children start to consider the impact of their actions on themselves and on others. In our forest school programme we will ensure that all those leading forest school sessions are fully qualified (Level 2 and Level 3 Forest School Leaders) and that all necessary and appropriate risk assessments have been completed prior to any sessions. In addition all forest school leaders will carry out dynamic risk assessment during all sessions they lead or are involved in. Our forest school trained staff are: Level 3 Mrs S Wilson, Miss A Taylor, Mr T Humble Training Miss S. Kemp, Mrs K Martin During any Forest school session the safety and well being of children and adults is paramount. There is always a qualified first aider on site during a forest school session and appropriate first aid kits are kept at the site base and are also carried by all first aiders. The emergency action plan is shared with all involved adults prior to any forest school session. All forest school leaders carry mobile phones and are aware of any mobile black spots in the forest or site in which they are working. This policy should be read in conjunction with the procedures contained in Appendix 1.

3 Policy statements on Practical Activities and Considerations Fire the use of fire is an integral part of the forest school experience. When used safely a fire is a magical experience and a fantastic stimulus for learning and reflection. We have fires for a variety of reasons including warmth, cooking and as a learning resource. Fires will only be lit when there are accredited level 3 Forest Leaders or level 2 leaders who have passed fire skills present. The procedures for fire contained in appendix A will always be followed. Tools- Teaching children to use tools correctly and effectively can have a huge impact on the child s self esteem. They learn to take responsibility and know that they are trusted by the adults around them. By selecting and using appropriate tools safely, children are able to make a vast range of resources and creations from the natural environment to support their learning. Children and Child Protection Forest School Leaders and practitioners should regard their duty of care when working with young persons as extremely important. To ensure all individuals (children, workers, and volunteers) are safe and protected we strongly recommend the following:- Everyone involved in Forest School is fully briefed on health and safety, risk assessment of sites and activities. Staff and volunteers should be made aware of the relevant school policies and ensure that they adhere to the guidance contained in them. Non school based staff will be given specific briefing covering these areas by the forest leader. Any concerns about a child s wellbeing should be shared with the school s named Child Protection Person, so that the school s child protection policy can then be followed. Non school staff will be briefed by the Forest Leader on the school s child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures. We regard safety and good practice as extremely important and it is the responsibility of individual staff and volunteers to ensure general safety during working. Confidentiality should be maintained at all times. Any concerns should only be shared with those who need to know such as the Forest School Leader or Class Teacher who can then ensure the correct people are then informed. Considerations for Equality and Inclusion In Forest School sessions all persons should be treated equally. We aim to and are committed to:

4 providing a secure environment in which children can flourish and in which all contributions are valued; including and value the contribution of all children and adults to our understanding of equality and diversity; make inclusion a thread which runs through all of the activities of Forest School The legal framework for this guidance is: Race Relations Act 1976; Race Relations Amendment Act 2000; Sex Discrimination Act 1986; Children and families Act 2014 Special Educational Needs and Disability Act Links to other policies: This policy has links to and is to used in line with the following school policies: Child Protection, Safeguarding, Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety Policy, Behaviour, Inclusion, Whistleblowing, Confidentiality, Complaints, First aid and the Gateshead Play Policy. Cancellation Procedure There may be times when Forest School sessions have to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. These may be:- Staff illness which prevents staff / child ratios being met. Severe weather conditions. Any situation that poses a health and safety risk. In the event of this situation arising we will endeavour to reschedule the session as soon as is reasonably practicable. We will endeavour to run Forest School sessions whenever possible, however reserve the right to cancel on the day. Evaluation Procedure In order to develop the Forest School program and to ensure good practice is maintained, a number of evaluation tools will be used. Evaluation of activities undertaken. 1. Evaluation of session by forest school leaders looking at what dispositions and attitudes are being developed. 2. Evaluation from children. 3. Evaluation from all staff involved in Forest School Dr A M Taylor and S Wilson

5 October 2014 To be reviewed: October 2016 APPENDIX A :PROCEDURES FOR USE IN FOREST SCHOOL SESSIONS PROCEDURE FOR SITING AND MANAGING FIRES 1. Fires will only be lit and used when there is a leader present who is either a qualified L3 Forest school leader or a L2 forest school leader who has been additionally trained and accredited to light and manage fires. 2. The forest school leader delegated to be responsible for the fire (if more than one qualified leader is present) will be responsible for the fire and for decision making regarding fire safety. 3. Fires will be sited in a safe place, away from low overhanging branches and other easily combustible material. 4. For safety protective gloves will be available and suitable clothing must be worn when working with fire. 5. A water bucket for dousing will be available at the fire at all times. 6. A burns first aid kit will be kept at the fire at all times. 7. Fires will be lit and managed in a fire pit area and all children will be trained in how to enter, move around and leave a fire pit area. The fire pit area will be clearly defined before a fire is lit. 8. Children and adults must enter and leave the fire pit in an organised way. They must walk around the outside of the seating area and step over it to sit down. Under no circumstances must the fire pit area be crossed. 9. Small fires may be lit in Kelly Kettles by suitably qualified Forest leaders (see 1 above) or under adult supervision after adequate training and always at the Forest leader s professional discretion. 10. Children will only cook when working with an adult. Children must approach the fire slowly and carefully and must wear safety gloves. The following ratios will be maintained when children are cooking at the fire (adult:child): i. Reception, KS1 1:2 ii. Year 3 and 4 1:3 iii. Year 5 and 6 1:4 Procedure written by Dr A M Taylor & Mrs S Wilson October 2014

6 PROCEDURE FOR USING TOOLS 1. Tools to be checked and maintained by forest schools leaders at the end of every forest school session and checked again before use again with children. 2. Tools to be kept in appropriate bag or tool box when not in use. 3. Tools and their bags to be kept in designated tool area when on site. Designated area to be shown and explained to children at the beginning of every forest school session. 4. Only one tool at a time to be taken by adult or group from the designated tool area. 5. Tool talk to be given by forest leader before any tool is shared with children or unqualified adults. 6. Children to be supervised in the use of tools in the following ratios i. Reception, KS1, 1:2 ii. KS2 1:4 7. A first aid kit will be carried whenever and wherever tools are used. 8. When not in use in a forest site tools are to be stored in a locked cupboard in school. 9. Staff are to be responsible for the safe transport of tools and for their safe use when in their care. Procedure written by Dr A M Taylor & Mrs S Wilson October 2014

7 PROCEDURE FOR DISPOSAL OF FOOD, LITTER AND WASTE WATER 1. The woods should be left in the condition in which they were found and not spoilt by waste of any description from the group. 2. All members of the group to be responsible for removing waste from food and rink they have brought onto the site. 3. Food prepared on site but not eaten to be disposed of in designated waste bags. 4. No food or litter to be burnt on the fire. 5. All waste liquid that does not contain food scraps to be collected in the water bucket and used to put out the fire at the end of the day. 6. Waste liquid containing food scraps or significant volumes of drinks to be disposed of in a hole dug for the purpose (slightly away from the main site). The hole to be filled in at the end of the day. Procedure written by Dr A M Taylor & Mrs S Wilson October 2014

8 PROCEDURES FOR ENSURING HEALTH AND HYGIENE INCLUDING TOILETING Hygiene 1. Take away everything you bring with you. 2. Hands to be washed or sterilised using sanitising gel before cooking or eating and after going to the toilet. 3. A designated area for hand and dishwashing to be identified. 4. Hole to be dug in designated area (slightly away from main base) for disposal of unclean water. 5. Water that has not come into contact with food to be disposed of in fire water bucket and used to put out fire at end of session. 6. Food to be stored in sealed containers and any dropped food to be picked up immediately and placed in designated waste bags. Toilets 1. When working on school site children to have access to school toilets as usual. 2. When working in the woods children to be encouraged to use the natural environment, remote from the base (at least 30 m from working area or base)to urinate. 3. Children to place toilet paper into small bag, tie it and place this into the designated waste bag. 4. Children to wash hands after using toilet. 5. A portable toilet will be available should any one need to defecate while in the woods. A temporary screen will be erected by forest leaders to ensure appropriate privacy. Forest leaders to be responsible for removal of porta loo from forest site. Procedure written by Dr A M Taylor & Mrs S Wilson October 2014