What is forest school?

Everything you need to know about forest school outdoor learning 

Forest School is about getting your child outdoors into nature, encouraging them to get their hands dirty, as well as play, explore and have fun - all while boosting their immunity, teaching calculated risk-taking, sparking imagination, building confidence and honing fine motor skills. Think jumping in muddy puddles, cooking a bowl of leafy soup, climbing a tree and more. 

While “Forest School” is a buzzing keyword in early childhood pedagogy at the moment, the concept has been around for a long time. Forest School emerged in the 1990s as an alternative educational model, building on early 20th outdoor learning traditions to counter standardised, teacher-led curriculum. 

As the movement grew, formal standards were established - most notably by Sarah Blackwell’s Archimedes Forest Schools. Today, Archimedes accredits high-quality outdoor programs worldwide, and Rugby School Thailand (RST) is proud to be the first school in Thailand to achieve this distinction. 

Yet, despite its popularity, plenty of myths still surround Forest School. Many parents are left with questions, doubts and concerns, so this practical guide will help clear up the confusion and walk you through everything you need to know about outdoor learning.

 

WHAT IS FOREST SCHOOL?

Forest School is more than just playing outdoors. It is a child-centred, inquiry-led educational approach that encourages children to explore nature safely. Sessions take place anywhere with natural elements such as woodlands, nature zones and urban parks. The main thing is children ask questions, independently explore and drive their own nature-based play.

This hands-on, child-led approach was clearly on display during a recent Forest School session at RST. What began as a single child mixing mud and water to make “chocolate soup” quickly turned into a group project. As other children joined in - adding leaves, flowers, and sticks to their mud recipes - they noticed the mixture was becoming too watery. 

Rather than providing answers, our Forest School leader, Mr Chris asked: “What could you add to make it thicker?” Soon enough, children began testing different combinations of sand, mud and water, creating a full-scale “mud cafe” with shared recipes and cooperative play. When children lead, curiosity becomes collaboration and problem-solving. 

 

Core Principles of Forest School 

At Rugby School Thailand, we follow the Archimedes Forest Schools approach, which puts the child at the centre of every Forest School experience. Rather than standalone outdoor sessions, this approach views learning as an ongoing and long-term process, giving children regular, timetabled sessions complete with their own Forest Frog Uniform. 

By revisiting the same natural environment week after week, children are given the time and space to build confidence, develop independence and deepen their connection to the world around them at their own pace. Over time, this predictable outdoor space encourages them to take calculated risks, test new ideas and take ownership of their learning journey. 

Rather than simply teaching set activities, our Forest School practitioners observe, support, question and encourage children - creating an environment where they can discover things for themselves. This approach lies at the heart of Archimedes philosophy and aligns directly with RST’s aim to nurture confident, resilient, independent and curious learners. 
 

 

Key Benefits of Outdoor Learning

In this day and age, where children as young as two have access to iPads and other devices, screen addiction is a very real concern. Excessive screen time makes it difficult for kids to focus and leads to a host of other issues such as becoming dependent on rapid dopamine boosts and struggling to self-regulate. 

Over time, this can result in poorer academic performance alongside a range of physical, mental and emotional challenges. Stepping into a natural, outdoor learning environment provides rich, hands-on experiences that actively counteract these difficulties, helping children rebuild their confidence, enhance physical health and restore emotional well-being. 

Physical Health: Boosting Immunity and Motor Skills 

Whether it’s balancing on uneven terrain, climbing up trees or tearing leaves, Forest School provides plenty of opportunities for children to develop essential gross and fine motor skills. Regular exposure to natural elements also boosts children's immune system through fresh air, natural sunlight and exposure to diverse microorganisms in the soil.

Mental and Emotional Well-being: Connecting with Nature 

Children who spend time outdoors benefit from a calm, grounding space away from the sensory overload of daily life. Being surrounded by greenery lowers stress levels and helps regulate mood, fostering a sense of peace and emotional balance that carries over into their everyday lives.

Social Growth: Teamwork, Communication and Empathy

Unstructured outdoor play gives children a chance to talk, share and work collaboratively. Through building a fort, navigating a trail or making up their own games, children learn how to negotiate, work through conflicts and count on each other. This builds real empathy and communication skills that carry back into the classroom and daily life. 

Cognitive and Life Skills

Being outdoors gives children real-world challenges like how to prop up branches to build a sturdy shelter or find the right sized rock to drive wooden tent pegs onto the ground, which forces kids to think on their feet and solve problems. Through managed risks, they learn to test boundaries, make decisions and build lasting self-confidence.

Academic Development: Hands-On Learning Opportunities 

Forest School transforms academics into hands-on experiences. Observing wildlife and weather builds a practical understanding of science, while counting petals or measuring soil makes abstract maths tangible. Describing discoveries expands vocabulary, and open-ended projects like fort building develop the problem-solving and sequencing needed for literacy. 

The Role of "Calculated Risk" in Forest School

Teaching children to take calculated risks is a core part of Forest School. By facing controlled challenges, kids learn to evaluate danger and develop true resilience. While it is natural for parents to feel anxious, qualified practitioners help children learn to manage risks safely, maintaining a distinction between calculated risks and reckless behaviour. 

This process is clearly seen when a Key Stage 1 (KS1) child set her sights on climbing a tree during our Forest School session. Initially requiring significant guidance, she was supported by Mr Chris through prompting questions such as "Does that feel safe?" allowing her to gauge her own boundaries. 

She returned to the tree repeatedly over several weeks and made her own decisions about height with progressively less help. Eventually, her confidence grew to the point where she was guiding her peers. The true outcome was not the height reached, but her development in assessing risk, making informed choices, and navigating challenges independently. 

Similarly, during a Nursery Forest School session, a child became interested in balancing on a fallen log, initially stepping onto it with hesitation while holding Mr Chris’s hand. Rather than directing her, Mr Chris supported her learning by asking guiding questions such as "Where could you put your feet?", and "Do you think you can try by yourself?". 

Over the following weeks, she too returned to the log repeatedly and gradually needed less physical support as she learned to assess the surface, position her body, recover her balance when wobbling and determine her own readiness. Before long, she was walking the log independently and encouraging her peers to try. 

This process beautifully illustrates managed risk in Forest School. Rather than simply being told to "be careful”,  children are guided to develop genuine physical confidence, coordination, risk awareness and self-assessment skills through direct and repeated experience.
 

How Forest School Practitioners Manage Risk

At RST, our Forest School practitioners manage risks in the following ways:

• Identify Hazards: Forest School practitioners focus on identifying genuine risks proactively rather than foregoing all outdoor activities. 
• Safety Evaluations: From assessing the weather conditions to adjusting planned tasks, Forest School educators always prioritise safety before starting a session. 
• Progressive Challenges: Beginning with low-risk activities, Forest School practitioners gradually increase difficulty as students gain skills and confidence.

 

Addressing Common Parent Doubts and Concerns

While the benefits of Forest School are clear, many parents remain doubtful and have concerns surrounding cleanliness and hygiene, exposure to germs, and safety - especially when Forest School programmes are applied in Thailand which faces its unique challenges like air pollution, tropical insects and animals, as well as intense heat. These concerns are very understandable. 

However, well-run Forest School programmes recognise that outdoor learning in Thailand comes with unique environmental considerations. At Rugby School Thailand (RST), these conditions are actively monitored and managed so children can safely enjoy the full benefits of being outdoors.

Rather than attempting to eliminate every hazard or keeping children indoors when conditions are imperfect, staff proactively check whether the environment is safe and figure out what needs to change to make it safe. By doing so, they uphold RST’s philosophy of managed risk and exploration, while being fully responsible for environmental safety. 

 

Staff follow these guidelines to evaluate whether a Forest School session is safe to run: 

Hot Weather and Heat

Activities are adapted according to heat and humidity conditions. Staff monitor children for signs of overheating, tiredness or dehydration and adjust activities when necessary.

Air Pollution and PM2.5

Air quality is monitored, particularly when PM 2.5 pollution levels are elevated. If conditions are unsuitable for outdoor activity, the session is adapted or moved indoors.

Lightning and Thunderstorms

If thunder or lightning is detected, children are brought inside to a safe and sheltered area. Children do not remain in open areas or under trees during thunderstorms.

Rain

Rain does not automatically mean Forest School is cancelled. Children are encouraged to experience light drizzle and light rain, with appropriate clothing and footwear. However, heavy rain, excessive slipperiness, reduced visibility, thunderstorms, strong winds or flooding may require the session to be adapted or moved indoors.

Snakes and Wildlife

Staff carry out a daily visual check of the Forest School area for snakes and wildlife before children enter and remain vigilant throughout the session.
If a snake is spotted, children are taught to move calmly away from the area and never approach, touch or chase it. The area remains clear until it has been assessed for safety.

Insects and Pests

Staff remain alert to ants, wasps and other biting or stinging insects. Children are taught to observe wildlife safely and avoid disturbing nests or animals.

Hygiene

As children regularly interact with soil, mud, plants and natural materials, basic hygiene is built into the routine. 

Hands are washed after sessions and before eating, while any minor cuts or grazes are promptly managed.

 

How to Choose the Right Forest School Programme

For parents interested in enrolling their children in a Forest School programme, finding the right fit is essential. Because outdoor education varies widely, you want to look for programmes that stay true to core Forest School principles while maintaining sensible, practical safety standards. 

Key factors to evaluate include: 

Verify Official Accreditation 

Many outdoor programmes label themselves as a "Forest School," but not all are officially accredited. Reassurance comes from verifying that a provider holds proper credentials. For instance, as Thailand’s first accredited Forest School, Rugby School Thailand follows core international principles to ensure genuine, high-quality outdoor education.

Check Leader Qualifications

Ensure the lead practitioner holds an accredited Level 3 qualification and an up-to-date background check, as lower certification levels do not qualify individuals to lead independent groups. At Rugby School Thailand, our Forest School lead, Mr Chris, is a fully certified Level 3 practitioner. 

Ensure Appropriate Adult-Child Ratios

RST maintains high adult-to-child ratios across all age groups, tailoring expert supervision to each developmental stage. Key Stage 1 sessions are led by Forest School leaders, class teachers, and assistants, enriched by specialists who integrate skills like language development into outdoor play. Early Years learners receive even higher levels of support. 

Positioned strategically throughout the natural setting, staff maintain constant communication to actively oversee higher-risk experiences, including tree climbing, water play, fire building and tool use. By adapting their guidance based on the activity and each child’s needs, we ensure safety while empowering children to explore with confidence.

Evaluate the Programme Structure and Philosophy 

Authentic Forest School programmes run consistently over extended periods, using regular weekly sessions rather than one-off visits. The approach prioritises emotional growth, resilience and independent play over rigid academic testing. At Rugby School Thailand, Forest School is not an optional add-on - it is a fully integrated part of our core curriculum. 

Look for Thailand-Specific Protocols

Outdoor learning in Thailand requires a programme that actively manages the region's unique environmental conditions rather than treating them as an afterthought. A well-prepared Forest School adapts its operations daily to protect children while preserving the outdoor experience.

To learn more about Rugby School Thailand’s Forest School programme or to tour our purpose-built Forest School, please email admissions@rugbyschool.ac.th