Outdoor Education
at S. Anselm’s

Our Forest School programme sits at the heart of early outdoor learning.

Rooted in an educational approach that began in Scandinavia in the 1800s, our Forest School places child‑led exploration at its core, encouraging children to experiment with natural materials, take supported risks and learn through hands‑on experience.

With three fully qualified Forest School Practitioners, younger pupils enjoy weekly sessions in our woodlands. Activities build personal, social and emotional development, as well as fine and gross motor skills. Through small, achievable steps, children grow in confidence, independence and resilience, developing a deep and lasting connection with nature.

Our location in the Peak District means the hills, trails and woodlands become an inspiring landscape for challenge and discovery.

Outdoor learning extends far beyond the early years. As pupils move through the school, the opportunities to explore and learn in the outdoors grow with them.

Older pupils use the outdoors to build teamwork, leadership, problem‑solving skills and environmental understanding – whether navigating routes, undertaking fieldwork, taking part in physical challenges or exploring wildlife and geography first‑hand.

The Peak District truly becomes their playground, offering real‑world experiences that enrich learning and nurture a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.