---
title: "Forest School"
url: "https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/forest-school"
school: "St Luke's Academy"
---

# Forest School

Our Forest School curriculum offers a practical, structured approach to learning outdoors, supporting pupils to develop self-confidence, independence and perseverance through regular, hands-on experiences. Working in a natural environment encourages students to take measured risks, make decisions for themselves and reflect on their progress. Over time, this helps them to become more resilient, more adaptable and more willing to persevere when tasks are challenging.

In years 7 to 9 they develop the skills needed for the NCFE Heritage skills and traditional crafts, which they can choose as an option at the end of year 9.

Each student is given the opportunity to use tools such as knives, hatchets, and other sharp tools in a carefully supervised setting, with clear routines and expectations in place. This supports the development of practical competence, concentration and responsibility.

This qualification has been carefully sequenced through the curriculum from year 7 to 11 so that each student will get the opportunity to build on experience gained from the previous years whilst being enabled to excel during the course.

The completion of the qualification could lead to opportunities working within heritage skills and traditional craft trades such as woodworking, stonemasonry, Blacksmithing, Weaving, Thatching, Candle making, Traditional gardening and many more.

 Forest School - 5 Year Plan  22 KB  [Open for printing](https://files.schudio.com/st-luke-s-academy/files/documents/FS_website_5_year_topic_overview.docx)

---

  [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-luke-s-academy/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/forest-school/033.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-luke-s-academy/images/gallery/forest-school/033.jpg)

  [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-luke-s-academy/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/forest-school/034.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-luke-s-academy/images/gallery/forest-school/034.jpg)

### Learning & Education

- [Learning at St Luke's Academy](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/learning-at-st-luke-s-academy)
- Curriculum
    - [Overview ](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum)
    - [English](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/english)
    - [Mathematics](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/mathematics)
    - [Science](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/science)
    - [Design & Technology](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/design-technology)
    - [Outdoor Education](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/Outdoor-Education)
    - [Food Technology](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/food-technology)
    - [PSHE](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/PSHE)
    - [Physical Education](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/physical-education)
    - [Art and Design](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/art-textiles-design-and-technology)
    - [Childcare](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/childcare)
    - [Forest School](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/forest-school)
    - [Pastoral and Therapy](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/pastoral-and-therapy)
    - [Alternative Provision](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/alternative-provision)
    - [Assessment Information](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/curriculum/assessment-information)
- [Learning Experiences](https://www.stlukes.swindon.sch.uk/learning-education/learning-experiences)
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