Northern Ireland Forest School Association

Northern Ireland Forest School Association 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.

📣 A Northern Ireland first, and it launches this September.NIFSA is proud to announce the OCN NI Level 4 Award in Forest...
23/06/2026

📣 A Northern Ireland first, and it launches this September.

NIFSA is proud to announce the OCN NI Level 4 Award in Forest School Programme Management. This is the first qualification of its kind to be delivered locally in Northern Ireland.

The Level 4 is designed for educators and independent practitioners who want to move beyond delivering Forest School sessions to strategically managing and developing sustainable outdoor learning programmes within their organisation.

The course covers programme development, site management, family engagement, volunteer coordination, wider environmental partnerships and full OCN NI accreditation.

With the Department of Education's TransformED curriculum consultation now open, and outdoor learning firmly in the spotlight, the Level 4 positions practitioners at the forefront of Northern Ireland's education reform.

More trained leaders means more children outside. Join us in our missing of taking learning outside.

To date, we have trained over 1,000 qualified Forest School Leaders, supported 500 schools across Northern Ireland and are responsible for over 10,000 children getting outside every single month.

For further information contact Caoimhe: [email protected]
and visit: https://www.forestschoolsni.com/course

Our CEO Brian Poots attended the Department of Education NI’s TransformED conference at La Mon Hotel this week, marking ...
19/06/2026

Our CEO Brian Poots attended the Department of Education NI’s TransformED conference at La Mon Hotel this week, marking the start of a 16-week public consultation on a brand new Northern Ireland Curriculum.

NIFSA will be making formal representation to the Department of Education to ensure that outdoor learning features more strongly in the new curriculum framework. This is the most significant opportunity in a generation to make outdoor education a right for every child in Northern Ireland, and we intend to use it.

If your school has evidence of the impact of outdoor learning, we want to hear it.

Send us your stories, your data, your feedback and we will make sure your voice is heard.

🔗 https://www.forestschoolsni.com/contact

18/06/2026

🌳 We’re the Northern Ireland Forest School Association, the leading organisation for delivering sustainable outdoor environmental programmes across Northern Ireland.

Follow along for Forest School stories, outdoor adventures and everything happening across Northern Ireland’s biggest outdoor learning community. 🧒 🌱

Find out about our latest training courses here: https://www.forestschoolsni.com

📷 A day in the life of Dan, our Forest School TrainerLast week Dan delivered L3 training sessions for teachers at Naisco...
18/06/2026

📷 A day in the life of Dan, our Forest School Trainer

Last week Dan delivered L3 training sessions for teachers at Naiscoil Chairn Tochair, Maghera.

Pre-school joined him in the morning for bug hunts and nest building in the new woodland learning area.

Then some children from R2-R6 from Bunscoil Naomh Bríd joined him after school for Bivvy building and trading games in the same woods.

Teachers also gathered at lunch time for a short tool training session in the new Forest School Cabin being built across the road. 🏡

Find out more about the work we do: https://www.forestschoolsni.com

15/06/2026

With 675 pins, 16 political parties & 23,000 views to date, the APPG for Outdoor Learning Digital Map connects outdoor settings and practitioners with their local MP. Westminster MPs are using the map to visit and learn more about the outdoor sector in their Constituencies.

With the Makerfield By-Election on the 18th June, we are looking for settings and practitioners in the following constituencies to add to the map:

📍 Makerfield - Worsley and Eccles - Leigh and Atherton - St Helens North - St Helens South and Whiston - Widnes and Halewood

Sign up at https://www.outdoor-learning.org/voice/government-engagement/outdoor-learning-digital-map-sign-up-form.html

20/05/2026

Our LAFS 2026 are fast approaching. Here 2 of our Nature Ranger staff at Abbey Primary discuss 'Downtime and Fun with the children'. They will be discussing more at LAFS including the best bits and the challenges at this years LAFS.

Mon 24 Aug Kings Park PS, Newtownabbey
Tue 25 Aug Clandeboye Nature Rangers
Wed 26 Aug Scarva PS
Thur 27 Aug St Patrick’s PS, Eskra
Fri 25 Sep Ballykelly PS

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/lafs-4825714

https://photos.app.goo.gl/afhCEoqzLQ2PS9xTA

We were back at St Caireall's Primary School for sessions 3 & 4 of Forest School practical training. 🌿🔥Despite heavy sho...
19/05/2026

We were back at St Caireall's Primary School for sessions 3 & 4 of Forest School practical training. 🌿🔥

Despite heavy showers, pupils showed fantastic determination whittling fresh Elder wood and working in teams to light their 5-minute fires using kindling gathered from around the field boundaries.
Learning opportunities observed included building resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills by working together in challenging weather conditions.
The groups also developed their understanding of how to identify and responsibly use natural materials from the local environment.

Well done everyone! 👏 Funded by RAPID PEACEPLUS.

Address

Clandeboye Estate
Bangor
BT191RN

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