Access Keys:

 
 
Dromore Nursery School, Dromore
 

Forest School

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Dromore Nursery School is committed to outdoor learning and the Forest School learning approach.
The children of 2024-2025 had their first experience of Forest Learning in December. The children in the full time and part time sessions travelled to Peatlands Park in Dungannon to help Father Christmas find his lost decorations. The children are all provided with specialist wet suits designed to keep them warm while not stopping them exploring and joining in the activities. The children are encouraged to use all of their senses to explore the secure environment independently. The session starts with some story telling and a light snack, then the children made their way into the forest to explore and investigate. They then returned to the education centre for a hotdog and hot chocolate before returning to school by bus. 

In the Spring/Summer visit the children take part in 'Going on a Bear Hunt'.  The session starts with story telling and the interactive story of 'Going on a Bear Hunt', the children then visit the Woodland School and hunt for bears which are hidden throughout the environment. They are encouraged to identify changes in the seasons.  Following this the children walk to the apple orchard for a picnic before returning to school.

Mrs Beattie and Mrs Chambers are experienced Forest School teachers both fully committed to this approach to learning through nature and the outdoors. The approach is supported by research to provide unique and healthy benefitting opportunities for learning. It is also proven to have significant mental health and well being benefits in the post COVID climate.