Northern Ireland Forest School Association

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Northern Ireland Forest School Association

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We develop and deliver sustainable outdoor environmental programmes across Northern Ireland. Let's take learning outdoors.

Forest Schools provide an exciting and inspirational experience for children. The development of Forest School began in Britain in the 1990s. It is based on a Scandinavian idea that considers children’s contact with nature to be extremely important from an early age. A study trip from Somerset to Denmark in 1995 decided that the approach was appropriate for use in Britain. Since then Forest School has spread to many areas as educationalists have witnessed the impact that it can have on children. Characteristics

Safety
◾The setting is rigorously checked before every session.
◾Clear boundaries are established for the children to stay within. Learning can be linked to the National Curriculum
◾By incorporating innovative approaches to learning (such as undertaking small and easily achievable tasks) children are encouraged to develop their curiosity and motivation to learn. This is particularly important for those who find it difficult to assimilate knowledge in a strictly classroom situation. Multisensory
◾The freedom to explore using multiple senses is fundamental for encouraging creative, diverse and imaginative play.
◾The focus is on the “whole child” (not just their academic ability). Regular contact
◾Regular contact for the children over a period of time (e.g. all year round, in all weathers).
◾Regular can mean anything from fortnightly during a school term to one morning, afternoon or day every week for twelve months or more. Adult supervision
◾A high adult to pupil ratio that allows for children to undertake tasks and play activities that challenge them but do not put them at undue risk of harm.
◾It also allows practitioners quickly to get to know the individual learning styles, abilities and characteristics of the children in their charge. Training
◾NIFSA has developed its own Forest School qualifications specially adapted for Northern Ireland.

31/10/2026

🎃 Happy Halloween from all of us at NIFSA 🕸️

There’s something extra magical about the forest at this time of year. The rustling leaves, the misty mornings, the shadows between the trees... perfect conditions for a Forest School Trip with Glendermot Nursery School to Ness Woods Country Park.

Whether you’re out on an Autumn walk, foraging and create nature art, creating wool-webs and making woodland dens, or just getting outside in the autumn air - we hope your Halloween is full of fresh air, muddy boots and nature magic just like this one. 🌿

From our forest to yours - Happy Halloween! 🎃🍄🕸️

28/10/2026

🌿 A brilliant day delivering Introduction to Forest School training with the team at Peter’s Patch, Hillsborough.

It’s always a privilege to work with practitioners who are ready to take their outdoor learning to the next level, and the team at Peter’s Patch brought real energy and enthusiasm to the day.

Forest School isn’t just an activity. It’s a philosophy and getting to share that with a group so committed to the children in their care is what makes this work meaningful.

If you’re a practitioner looking to start your Forest School journey, visit www.forestschoolsni.com to find out more about upcoming training.

28/10/2026

“This is the best day ever.” ⛺️

That’s what the children of St Theresa’s PS, Glebe said during their Forest School trip to Gortin Glen, and we’ll take that. 🫶🏻

Funded by RAPID PEACEPLUS, the session was full of wonder, exploration and discovery. 🌿

But our favourite moment? One child stopped, pointed into the moss and announced:

“Look! I found yellowness!” 🌟

She’d discovered Yellow Stagshorn fungi,
hiding in the moss on the forest floor. A name and a day she’ll never forget. 🍄

This is why we do what we do. 🌲

Find out more: www.forestschoolsni.com

25/10/2026

The perfect conditions to deliver sessions 1 & 2 of Level 3 training at Eglinton Primary School? Yes they were! 🌧️🌳

Overnight rain left some glorious puddles across the school field, and at NIFSA, that’s great news! Well, let’s talk about what we get up:

🌧️ We splashed through puddles on the way out across the field
🦅 Played migration games - learning how animals move with the seasons
🏕️ Hibernation den building - teamwork, creativity and determination
🐦 Nesting birds protecting their eggs from the notorious Jo the Crow flying about the field 👀🐦‍⬛
🪱 Lots of wiggly worms discovered, and put to good use feeding our feathered friends

Messy, joyful and full of learning - exactly what Forest School should look like. 🌿

Find out about our Level 3 course here: www.forestschoolsni.com

24/10/2026

📌 Day 2 of Northern Ireland’s first ever Level 4 Forest School Management Course.

Our OCN NI Level 4 course is designed for Forest School practitioners who are ready to take the next step, running their own Forest School programme independently, outside of a school or nursery setting.

A pioneering group, a groundbreaking qualification and a movement that just keeps growing. 🌿

Want to join the next cohort? The waiting list is now open.

📩 [email protected]
🌲 www.forestschoolsni.com

23/10/2026

22/10/2026

Don’t miss out on these brilliant upcoming Forest School events with Mid Ulster District Council 🌳

🌳 Get Active NI Community Forest School Experience 🌳

Looking for a fun outdoor adventure this October? 🍂

Join us at Dungannon Park for a FREE Community Forest School Experience, packed with hands-on activities that help children build confidence, learn new skills and connect with nature. 🌿

𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟭 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
🕚 11am-12pm | P1-P5 (with parent/guardian)
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=iwXXq7E6i0ai8xnBNQQLY11AdqTd2sFIqVdCxdi4V_VUQVdMOEZXSFRHVTEwNU9BMFhZSEQyRFczNS4u&route=shorturl

🕑 2pm-3pm | P6-Year 10
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=iwXXq7E6i0ai8xnBNQQLY11AdqTd2sFIqVdCxdi4V_VUOE1UNzZPQUxNWUZQWkxVQkw1QzJBTVJZVS4u&route=shorturl

Limited spaces available | Booking essential via forms linked above

📧 [email protected]
📞 028 8772 8690

Funded by Sport NI and the London Marathon Foundation through Get Active NI. More dates and locations coming Spring 2027.

22/10/2026

The benefits of children connecting with nature are well evidenced. So why are so many children still missing out?

A major new evidence briefing from Natural England, published this September confirms just that, and raises an urgent question.

The research identifies four key barriers stopping children from accessing nature:

🏗️ Lack of green space near schools and homes
😟 Low nature confidence - children feel unsafe or unsure outdoors
🎭 Nature not feeling ‘for them’ - cultural and social barriers
🏫 Poor outdoor facilities in schools - no nature space, no provision

At NIFSA, we’ve been working to break down every one of these barriers across Northern Ireland since 2008. Through trained Forest School Leaders, funded programmes and our work in schools across every council area, we are building nature confidence, one child at a time.

Outdoor education needs to be in the Northern Ireland curriculum, for every child.

📋 Please sign our petition: change.org/NIFSACurriculumReview

www.forestschoolsni.com

Source: Natural England TIN240 - Included Outside: Engaging Children and Young People in Nature, September 2026

21/10/2026

We returned to Broadbridge PS for Sessions 3 & 4 with the P1s... and here's what we got up to:

🍂 Session 3: Autumn Hedgerow Foraging, S’mores & Wood-Cookie Characters

The children explored the hedgerow in full autumn colour, foraged along the way and finished with everyone’s favourite - s’mores around the fire. Then, we got creative making their very own wood-cookie characters.

🕷️ Session 4: Spider Cookies & Clay Heads

A little twist on the plan today - recent hedge flaying had cleared the local Elder supply, so whittling was swapped for something just as wonderful. The children made spider cookies and clay heads using natural materials, because in Forest School, nature always finds a way. 😄

Funded by RAPID PEACEPLUS.

www.forestschoolsni.com

Address

Clandeboye Estate
Bangor
BT191RN

Website

http://www.forestschoolsni.com/

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