Forest School
Learning Rooted in Nature:
At Jabberwocky, our approach centres on the belief that nature is a powerful teacher. Forest School is more than a wonderful outdoor activity- it’s a daily, hands-on experience where children lead their own learning through exploration, creativity, and meaningful risk taking. Surrounded by the natural world, they gain independence, resilience, and confidence while discovering, playing, and even cooking together in the woods. At the beautiful arboretum, every stick, leaf, and muddy puddle becomes a tool for learning, and every child is encouraged to grow at their own pace- naturally, joyfully, and with a sense of wonder and excitement.
Why is Jabberwocky’s Forest School so special?
At Jabberwocky, Forest School at the arboretum is designed to spark curiosity, from the beautiful Shepherd huts, yurts and mud kitchen to the planting areas and opportunities for risky play. Being out in nature encourages independence, creativity, and problem-solving. Children build dens, cook outdoors, and take safe risks like climbing or using tools. They also care for two hens and a cockerel, and take an active role in rewilding by building bird boxes, bug hotels, and hedgehog houses. These hands-on experiences help them build real-life skills, grow in confidence, and develop emotional resilience. Along the way, they form strong social bonds and a genuine connection to the natural world.
Children use natural materials and resources to create, explore and express themselves.
With a stick in hand and imagination in full swing, our children transform the forest into a world of creativity and adventure.
A joyful moment! We discovered the beauty of frost, leaves and light through a sheet of frozen ice.
Caring for nature starts at a young age. Here, we prepare a cosy hedgehog house with straw, helping our prickly garden friends stay safe and warm.
We learn the power of teamwork through digging, building or tidying our arboretum- all while having fun in the fresh air.
Learning comes to life through play and exploration. Whether it's mixing up mud pies or magic potions, our children thrive through these experiences that spark imagination.