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.

As we begin a new term, it's the perfect moment to reflect on what makes Forest School so special. 🌳 Forest School is mo...
31/08/2026

As we begin a new term, it's the perfect moment to reflect on what makes Forest School so special. 🌳

Forest School is more than simply spending time outdoors.

The magic is not in one activity or one day. It grows through repeated experiences, changing seasons and a growing sense of belonging outdoors.

That is what NIFSA has been bringing to children across Northern Ireland since 2008, across 500+ schools, with 1,000+ trained leaders and 10,000+ children outside every single month.

This is Forest School. 🌿

📋 Sign our curriculum petition: change.org/NIFSACurriculumReview

Discover our memberships and training options here: www.forestschoolsni.com

Just like that, we conclude our LAFS (Local Area Forest School) events for the week at St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primar...
28/08/2026

Just like that, we conclude our LAFS (Local Area Forest School) events for the week at St Patrick's & St Brigid's Primary School & Nursery Unit, Eskra 🪵 🌳

Incredible speakers, hands-on outdoor sessions, brand new NIFSA x Twinkl Northern Ireland resources and another brilliant group of Forest School leaders celebrating together. 🌿

This is the NIFSA community at its very best.

🚨 One LAFS event to go, and spaces are still available!

📍 Ballykelly Primary School
📅 Friday 25 September

Free for Premium Members. Don’t miss the last one! 👇

🎟️ eventbrite.com/cc/lafs-4825714
📩 [email protected]

28/08/2026
✅ Day 3 LAFS (Local Area Forest School) was spent at Scarva Primary School ⛺️ A great day spent in the outdoors with lea...
27/08/2026

✅ Day 3 LAFS (Local Area Forest School) was spent at Scarva Primary School ⛺️

A great day spent in the outdoors with learners and educators, as we crafted and built, and plenty of fun along the way.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Next up, St Patrick’s Eskra!

27/08/2026
27/08/2026

Congratulations to Clandeboye Nature Rangers, pre-school is officially open! Here’s to the many happy adventures ahead 🌳

26/08/2026

Children are now nearly 11 before they’re allowed to play outside independently.

That’s more than a year later than their parents’ generation.

This week, Helen Dodd and Amber Ogunsanya-William appeared on BBC Breakfast discussing the findings of the latest British Play Survey - shining a light on the growing “generational play gap” and what it means for our children’s freedom to play outdoors.

At NIFSA, we believe every child deserves that freedom, to explore, to play, to simply be a child in nature. 💚

That’s why we do what we do. And that’s why outdoor learning belongs in every school in Northern Ireland’s.

🔗 See more: www.forestschoolsni.com

✅ Day 2 LAFS (Local Area Forest School) took place yesterday at Clandeboye Nature Rangers⛺️ A fantastic day spent in the...
26/08/2026

✅ Day 2 LAFS (Local Area Forest School) took place yesterday at Clandeboye Nature Rangers⛺️

A fantastic day spent in the outdoors with learners, educators and those who truly support our mission of taking learning outdoors. 🌳🧒

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Next up, Scarva Primary School 🌳

fans

✅ Day 1 LAFS (Local Area Forest School) took place yesterday at King's Park Primary School, Newtownabbey, marking the fi...
25/08/2026

✅ Day 1 LAFS (Local Area Forest School) took place yesterday at King's Park Primary School, Newtownabbey, marking the first of 5 NI Wide Conference and networking events.

Our day consisted of speakers, practical activities, graduations, a focus on the important of outdoor learning and more.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Next up, Clandeboye Nature Rangers 🌳

🌳 Forest School came to Dromara this August, and it was brilliant!NIFSA delivered an Introduction to Forest School train...
24/08/2026

🌳 Forest School came to Dromara this August, and it was brilliant!

NIFSA delivered an Introduction to Forest School training day at Dromara Primary School, and what a fantastic group of educators to spend the day with.

From the principles of Forest School to hands-on outdoor activities, the staff at Dromara got a real taste of what taking learning outside looks like. We think they loved every minute of it. 💚

This is how the Forest School movement grows in Northern Ireland. One school, one staff team, one day at a time. 🏕️

Could your school be next? Our Level 1 Introduction to Forest School training is the perfect first step.

Get in touch: [email protected]
🔗 www.forestschoolsni.com/course

Address

Clandeboye Estate
Bangor
BT191RN

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