How do we know this will work?

Suzy Strudwick started her involvement with Forest Projects with a forest school based at Thomas Bennett Community College in Crawley, which has shown a very high success rate with re-engaging excluded young people. It is highly valued by staff at Thomas Bennett as a resource for re-engaging their pupils who are at risk of exclusion. In a report by an educational psychologist conducted over weekly visits to Thomas Bennett’s forest school over the academic year 2006-7, a significant amount of evidence (both theoretical and statistical) to support the use of Forest Schools for emotional, behavioural and cognitive growth is identified.

· Children with symptoms of ADHD are better able to concentrate after contact with nature (Taylor 2001)

· Children with views of and contact with nature score higher on tests of concentration and self discipline. (Wells 2000, Taylor 2002)

· Children who play regularly in natural environments show more advance motor fitness, including balance, coordination and agility, and are sick less often (Grahn et al. 1997, Fjortoft 2001)

· Exposure to natural environments improves children’s cognitive development by improving awareness, reasoning and observational skills

· Nature buffers the impact of life stress on children and helps them deal with adversity (Wells 2003)

· Natural environments stimulate social interaction between children (Bixler, Floyd and Hammutt 2002)

The data ollected also indicated a drop in fixed term exclusions of 66% between 2005/6 and 2006/7. No forest school student was permanently excluded during 2006/7.

What those involved thought:

Teacher comments…

‘A looks so much happier in school and he always attends my lessons without me having to go and find him’
‘A was showing a lot more negative behaviour at the beginning but is much more serious now’

Student interviews

‘My attitude is much better. I used to argue back but now I’ve stopped’
‘I would say I am focusing more’
‘I work a lot harder out here and don’t get stressed’
‘I’ve learnt that I am good at making things’
‘Since coming here I’m more confident and independent. I feel more organised at school’
‘I like being with people who know what they’re doing.’
‘People here help’
‘It helps getting to know others and having more friends’
‘This is the best day of my life’