About Us
What is Forest School?
Origin
The Forest school methodology has been inspired by the Scandinavian approach to children’s education which gives great importance to the place in which learning occurs and the Norwegian concept “friluftsliv” of an outdoor lifestyle.
The Danish Udeskole (open air school) is backed by decades of experience and is based on deep-rooted principles of learning through contact, play and exploration.
In the 90’s, this method was called Forest School in the United Kingdom and in 2011 the British Association of Forest Schools was created. From then on, the Forest School methodology, also known as Nature School, Forest Kindergarten or Outdoor Nursery, took on international relevance. Today there are successful projects all over the world including Canada, the United States, Australia, Singapore, New Zealand…and Valencia!
Methodology
In Valencia Forest School we follow the UK Forest School Association’s six principles for Good Practice:
Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
Other aspects of our methodology include:
Free play, respectful, self regulated and uninterrupted is a fundamental aspect in both physical and mental development.
The opportunity to learn about the world around us in a self directed way through Awe and Wonder.
Exposure to controlled risk to build resilience, self regulation and self esteem.
The importance of process over result.
Respect for the rhythms of each participant to develop meaningful learning.
Freedom to choose how to work (individually, in groups, actively, passively…).
Creative problem solving. We do not give answers but help to guide the search.
Personalised and responsive planning adapted to meet the needs and interests of the participants at all times.
Making the most out of the minimum resources.
Using positive and constructive language (what can be done rather than what cannot).
In Valencia Forest School:
The books and stories that we use are carefully selected to ensure that their content is appropriate to our methodology and principles.
Our team games are based on the Fluid Learning methodology that seeks a deep and meaningful reconnection with nature as well as fostering collaboration and emotional well-being.
We abide by the six principles of good practice of the Association of Forest Schools in the United Kingdom.
We follow the 8 Playwork principles as described by Cardiff’s Playwork Principles Scrutiny Group.
We carry out sustainable environmental management.
Our fundamental pillar is respect.
Bad Weather?
The Forest school methodology works on the Norwegian principle that “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment”.
It is an all weather methodology which always takes place in the open air, throughout all the seasons of the year regardless of the weather making the most out of the different seasons of the year and their weather conditions.
For our sessions to take place successfully within these principles two things must be taken into account:
- Appropriate equipment for children and guides.
- Appropriate planning on the part of the guides including a thorough risk asessment.
Who are we?
Laura Martín
Founder and co-director of Valencia Forest School.
- Level 3 Certificate for Forest School Leaders.
- C2 Proficiency Cambridge English.
- Qualified Teacher Status.
- MA Secondary Education, English specialist.
- MA Creative and Cultural Industries.
- History of Art Degree.
- Still Image Technician.
- C1 Valencià.
- Learning French.
Bio
Even though I attended a school made of suffocating concrete and grew up in noisy cities, my best childhood memories are green, free and wild. Nobody explained it to me but it was not necessary, I understood I am an animal from the beginning.
After finishing university I decided I was not done flying and what was supposed to be a short exploration of what is different became more than a decade of adventures in the United Kingdom. There I was a consultant, an activist, a drummer, a volunteer… I lived in a boat, slept under the stars, danced around bonfires, learned to love the cold… and I became a teacher.
I started as a Teaching Assistant in special schools, an experience that was hugely transformational not only professionally but also personally. Next, I became a KS1 Primary School Teacher in working class neighbourhoods of London in a country where two thirds of children between 5 and 12 years old spend less time outdoors than a prisoner.
Back in Valencia I had the great opportunity of getting involved in alternative education and another transformational moment happened: I understood that education does not have to be what until then I had believed was the only way.
Finally, I felt I wanted to lead the change I wanted to see and once again I chose adventure: Bosque Escuela La Tribu was born and from its seed grew Valencia Forest School.
Alison White
Co-founder and Director of Valencia Forest School.
- Level 3 First Aid Certificate for School Forest Leaders.
- Level 3 Award in Pediatric First Aid.
- Level 4 award in quality assurance (QTS).
- Forest School First Aid Certificate.
- Director White Balance Productions.
- PGCE certificate in secondary education.
- British QTS.
- BA Hons. Fine Art.
Bio
My childhood experiences in nature, the freedom to explore, the adventures I had with my sisters growing up were experiences that have had a huge influence on who I am as an adult. We swam wild in rivers and freezing oceans long before it was fashionable. We played, explored, collected treasures, built dens and made art with what we found, we cooked outdoors on wood that we collected ourselves, sang songs around the campfire and slept under the stars. Weekends were spent exploring “Lets just see what’s around the next corner” was the phrase that propelled our tired legs onwards on so many adventures.
I spent a lot of time in the classroom as a child but the knowledge and skills that I gained in nature are those that I have retained the best and I value the most. I learnt how to be alone and how to work in a team; to try new things and to practice the things I already knew; to fail at something and start again from the beginning; to look at the world around me and to understand my place in it.
I studied art, maths and physics and I continued to university to study Fine Art. I went on to train and work as an art and textile teacher in Liverpool. I continued my career for a decade gaining experience in management, running the expressive arts program in a large secondary school…And along came motherhood It changed the trajectory of my career and my outlook on education. I spent time watching my children grow, following their rhythms and passions and found that they had as much to teach me as I did them. When my eldest turned 4 and started school I watched as his natural enthusiasm and happiness faded.
This was the beginning of my adventure into the world of alternative education that via homeschooling and flexischooling brought me to Spain. It was here that I made the connections that would lead me back to the wild. It is a passion that I have always carried with me and training as a forest school leader renewed my faith in education. I am proud to be able to offer children the opportunity to grow wild and free here in Valencia.
Piña y Monte
Piña and Monte are best friends and the stars of our Forest School.
Piña was rescued when she was a year and a half old. She has a heart on her cheek. She loves it when children stroke her lioness hair, playing fetch, getting messy in mud and eating napkins. Although she is nearly four and looks like an oldie, her soul is that of a puppy. Piña is also very free and wild and she loves running away.
Monte was rescued when he was five years old. He has massive ears. Monte is next level when it comes to loving being stroked. He has the soul of an old man and would wear a robe all day if he was a human.
Valencia Forest School s.l. is a registered ecotourism company specialised in environmental education adhered to the Action Guide for Environmental Education (EAR) of the Generalitat Valenciana. Valencia Forest School s.l. complies with all the requirements regarding safety, materials, contracting of services, badges and insurance established in the Regulatory Decree of Active Tourism and Ecotourism in the Valencian Community in the DOGV of January 12.
News and Resources
New programmes in Valencia City from September 24
17/06/24
We are excited to announce that we are in the last planning stages of a series of new Forest School programmes in the city of Valencia including a Monday to Friday Play School programme alongside some of our most popular weekend programmes. Forest School will now be closer than ever!
Valencia Forest School in the À Punt News
30/04/23
A news team from the À Punt television channel made a piece at Valencia Forest School while looking at alternative approaches to education.
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Valencia Forest School in Efe Agro magazine
11/05/22
Entrepreneurship in the rural world has found a new face, the teaching that from Valencia Forest School, tries to bring children closer to nature in a simple and fun way while they develop their emotional intelligence and a great respect for the environment.
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Valencia Forest School wins the Impulsa Awards by the Red Cross
27/12/21
A few weeks ago Bosque Escuela La tribu won first prize in the National Red Cross ‘premios impulsa’ awards. The methodology of this project with British roots centers upon personal development, emotional intelligence and reconnection to nature.
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Valencia Forest School in Plaza Radio
06/09/21
This week, we went to Plaza Radio’s studio where we were interviewed to learn more about the keys to the success of the Forest School methodology.
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Contact Us
hello@valenciaforestschool.es
Work with us
If you would like to become a member of our team of Forest School Guides, please send a motivation letter and your CV to hello@valenciaforestschool.es