Curriculum Maps: Key Stage 1
KS1 Outcomes
- Maths: Mastery of foundational concepts through outdoor exploration and practical application.
- English: Improved literacy skills via storytelling, descriptive writing, and reflection.
- Wellbeing: Boosted confidence and collaboration in a natural, engaging environment.
- Practical Skills: Exposure to sustainable practices and tool use in real-world contexts.
This schedule ensures a balance of academic, creative, and physical activities while fostering a deeper connection to nature.
Day 1: Discovering Numbers in Nature
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Counting and addition using natural materials.
- Activity: Forest Counting & Adding
- Students collect pinecones, leaves, or acorns to practise counting, grouping, and solving simple addition problems.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Explore descriptive language.
- Activity: Nature Walk & Word Hunt
- Students describe textures, sounds, and colours of items they collect and create sentences using these descriptive words.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Introduction to safe tool use (e.g., potato peelers for bark stripping). Focus on fine motor skills and safety rules.
Afternoon Theme: Woodland-Based Natural Art
Activity:
- Create natural sculptures using twigs, leaves, and stones.
- Discuss shapes and textures, encouraging creative expression.
Day 2: Patterns & Narratives in the Forest
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Exploring shapes and patterns.
- Activity: Shape Hunt
- Students identify natural items with various shapes and create patterns or symmetrical designs.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop narrative skills.
- Activity: Writing Woodland Stories
- Students imagine an animal’s adventure in the forest and write a short story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Using mallets and wooden pegs for simple tasks like building frames for planting.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Learn about planting seeds and seedlings.
- Work on a small forest school garden plot, understanding how plants grow and how to care for them.
Day 3: Measuring in the Woodland
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Introducing measurement concepts.
- Activity: Measuring Leaves and Sticks
- Measure natural items with rulers or hand spans and compare lengths.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Poetry using sensory language.
- Activity: Senses Poem
- Students create poems about what they see, hear, and feel in the forest.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Whittling simple stakes under supervision, reinforcing safe knife use and control.
Afternoon Theme: Sustainable Woodland Explorers
Activity:
- Build miniature woodland models using sustainable principles.
- Discuss wildlife zones, tree layers, and resources for humans.
Day 4: Subtracting with Nature
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Subtraction through hands-on activities.
- Activity: Subtraction with Natural Materials
- Act out subtraction scenarios using pebbles or leaves (e.g., 10 leaves - 3 leaves = 7 leaves).
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop sequencing and storytelling skills.
- Activity: Story Stick
- Attach natural items to a stick to represent different parts of a story, then share with the group.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Constructing small trellises for plants using string and sticks.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Discuss composting and soil health.
- Plant and water seedlings, and label them for monitoring growth.
Day 5: Symmetry in Nature
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Understand symmetry and patterns.
- Activity: Symmetry with Leaves
- Find and draw the missing half of leaves, creating symmetrical designs.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Collaborative storytelling.
- Activity: Story Circle
- Students take turns adding to a group story about life in the forest.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Carve clay tools (e.g., stamps or simple shapes) for sculpting projects.
Afternoon Theme: Sculpting in the Forest
Activity:
- Use clay and natural materials to create 3D woodland creatures or objects.
- Explore texture and form, inspired by the forest.
Day 6: Woodland Numbers
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Reinforce number skills through problem-solving.
- Activity: Forest Treasure Hunt
- Solve maths problems hidden in the forest to uncover clues leading to a "forest treasure".
Morning Session: English
Objective: Reflect on experiences and present ideas.
- Activity: Forest Journals
- Write and draw about their favourite forest experiences from the week.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Practise using spades and forks to dig soil for planting.
Afternoon Theme: Discovering the Forest’s Animals
Activity:
- Visit and observe forest animals like ponies, wild pigs, or birds.
- Discuss their habitats, behaviour, and how we can protect their environment.
Curriculum Maps: Key Stage 2
KS2 Outcomes
This curriculum ensures a balance of academic learning, creative exploration, and hands-on experiences, aligned with KS2 National Curriculum requirements.
Day 1: Discovering Numbers in Nature
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Apply multiplication and division to solve real-world problems.
- Activity: Natural Multiplication
- Use natural materials (e.g., groups of sticks or pinecones) to create multiplication arrays and solve division problems.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Nature Reading Circle
- Read excerpts from books about forests, wildlife, or sustainability (e.g., The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett).
- Discuss key themes or vocabulary related to nature and the environment.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop descriptive writing using sensory details.
- Activity: Nature’s Palette
- Write vivid descriptions of forest colours, textures, and sounds to create a sensory poem.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Introduction to safe tool use (e.g., mallets and secateurs) and practising cutting small branches for craft.
Afternoon Theme: Woodland-Based Natural Art
Activity:
- Create larger collaborative sculptures inspired by Antony Gormley’s The Field.
- Use clay and natural materials to create figurines that represent the community’s connection to the woodland.
Day 2: Patterns & Shapes in Nature
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Recognise and explore symmetry and geometric patterns.
- Activity: Symmetry Hunt
- Identify symmetry in leaves, spiderwebs, and tree shapes, then create symmetrical patterns using natural materials.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Forest Fiction
- Read stories featuring animals or magical forests (e.g., The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann).
- Have a group discussion about the characters and settings.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop narrative writing skills.
- Activity: Story Mapping
- Map out an adventure story where animals are the main characters. Use the forest as the setting for their journey.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Use saws and mallets to build simple wooden frames for planting.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Explore the lifecycle of plants and sustainable gardening techniques.
- Plant seeds in biodegradable pots and discuss crop rotation and soil health.
Day 3: Measuring & Comparing in the Forest
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Measure and compare lengths and areas using standard and non-standard units.
- Activity: Forest Measuring Challenge
- Measure the height of trees using sticks and angles or estimate the area of a clearing using footsteps.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Sustainability Spotlight
- Read short articles or fact sheets about sustainable woodlands or conservation efforts.
- Students share one interesting fact they learned.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Explore persuasive writing.
- Activity: Protect Our Woodland
- Write a persuasive letter to the local council, arguing the importance of conserving forests.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Practise using knives for whittling small stakes under supervision, focusing on safety and skill.
Afternoon Theme: Sustainable Woodland Explorers
Activity:
- Build woodland models incorporating zones for wildlife, trees, and paths.
- Discuss sustainable practices like coppicing and biodiversity protection.
Day 4: Forest Fractions
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Understand fractions in real-life contexts.
- Activity: Fraction of the Forest
- Divide groups of natural items (e.g., sticks or leaves) into fractions and solve fraction addition and subtraction problems.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Poetry in Nature
- Read forest-inspired poems (e.g., Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost).
- Discuss the imagery and emotions in the poem.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Explore creative writing and character development.
- Activity: Animal Diaries
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of a forest animal, describing a day in its life.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Build simple wooden trellises using natural materials and twine.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Focus on companion planting and how certain plants support one another.
- Plant seeds in prepared soil and monitor their growth.
Day 5: Problem-Solving in the Forest
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Develop problem-solving skills using maths concepts.
- Activity: Treasure Hunt Maths
- Solve a series of forest-related maths challenges to uncover a hidden "forest treasure."
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Environmental Heroes
- Read a short biography of an environmental advocate (e.g., Jane Goodall).
- Discuss the importance of their work.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Write a group narrative.
- Activity: Collaborative Storytelling
- Work in groups to write and act out a forest-based adventure story.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Carve and shape clay tools to create imprints and textures.
Afternoon Theme: Sculpting in the Forest
Activity:
- Create clay sculptures inspired by natural textures and forms in the forest.
- Focus on artistic expression and connecting with the environment.
Day 6: Forest Data & Analysis
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Collect and interpret data.
- Activity: Forest Survey
- Record observations of flora and fauna and create bar charts or pie charts to present findings.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Reflections in Nature
- Read a reflective story or passage about nature (e.g., A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson).
- Students reflect on their own connection to nature.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Reflect and summarise.
- Activity: Forest Reflections
- Write a reflective journal entry summarising what they learned about sustainability and the forest ecosystem.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Practise digging and preparing soil using spades and forks.
Afternoon Theme: Discovering Forest Animals
Activity:
- Visit and observe animals like wild ponies in the forest or cows in the fields.
- Discuss their role in the ecosystem and how to protect their habitats.
Curriculum Maps: Key Stage 3
KS3 Outcomes
This curriculum map emphasises advanced skills in observation, critical thinking, and environmental awareness, aligned with KS3 National Curriculum standards.
Day 1: Forest Maths & Woodland Poetry
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Explore algebraic concepts using real-life forest contexts.
- Activity: Equations in the Ecosystem
- Solve algebraic problems related to tree growth rates or forest density.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Poetry in the Wild
- Read poetry that explores nature and the environment (e.g., Lines Written in Early Spring by William Wordsworth).
- Discuss how the poet uses imagery to convey emotion.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Create descriptive writing inspired by the forest.
- Activity: Nature's Voices
- Write a personified poem where forest elements (e.g., trees, streams) "speak" about their role in the ecosystem.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Introduction to advanced tool use, focusing on using saws and mallets to create wooden frameworks.
Afternoon Theme: Woodland-Based Natural Art
Activity:
- Create sculptures inspired by Antony Gormley’s The Field, using clay and found natural materials.
- Discuss the role of art in interpreting environmental themes.
Day 2: Geometry in the Forest & Sustainable Gardening
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Investigate geometric principles in nature.
- Activity: Angles and Shapes in Nature
- Measure tree angles, analyse leaf shapes, and calculate areas of irregular forest clearings.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Sustainability Stories
- Read excerpts from articles or books about sustainable gardening (e.g., The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan).
- Discuss the benefits of sustainable practices.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop persuasive writing skills.
- Activity: The Case for Green Spaces
- Write an article persuading readers to support community gardening projects.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Use spades and forks to prepare soil for planting.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Tour our established nursery (Wildegoose Nursery).
- Learn about sustainable gardening techniques, including composting, companion planting, and soil health.
Day 3: Data Collection & Sustainable Woodland Management
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Collect, analyse, and present data from the forest environment.
- Activity: Forest Data Collection
- Conduct a biodiversity survey and create graphs or charts to represent findings.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Forest Futures
- Read about global deforestation and woodland preservation efforts.
- Discuss human impacts on ecosystems and potential solutions.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Write a formal report.
- Activity: Woodland Sustainability Report
- Document observations from the biodiversity survey, highlighting key findings and solutions.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Practise using knives to whittle small stakes and pegs for woodland projects.
Afternoon Theme: Sustainable Woodland Explorers
Activity:
- Build scale woodland models incorporating principles like biodiversity, coppicing, and deadwood retention.
- Discuss how sustainable practices protect ecosystems while meeting human needs.
Day 4: Fractions & Forest Fiction
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Use fractions and ratios in environmental contexts.
- Activity: Fractional Forests
- Divide forest resources (e.g., logs, leaves) into fractions, and solve real-world ratio problems.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Eco-Tales
- Read an eco-focused short story or folktale, such as The Lorax by Dr Seuss.
- Discuss its message about sustainability.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop creative writing skills.
- Activity: Forest Chronicles
- Write a short story featuring a forest as a central character.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Build a wooden trellis or frame using saws, hammers, and natural twine.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Focus on designing and planting a sustainable vegetable garden.
- Plan crop rotations and discuss the importance of water conservation.
Day 5: Practical Problem-Solving & Clay Creations
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Solve real-world problems using maths.
- Activity: Forest Problem-Solving
- Calculate how much material is needed for woodland projects (e.g., fencing, planting layouts).
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Art and Nature
- Read articles about artists who use natural materials, such as Andy Goldsworthy or Antony Gormley.
- Discuss the intersection of art and environment.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Explore analytical writing.
- Activity: Art in the Forest
- Write a critical review of a natural sculpture created earlier in the block.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Carve patterns into clay tiles using natural imprints like leaves and bark.
Afternoon Theme: Sculpting in the Forest
Activity:
- Create clay sculptures inspired by natural forms and textures.
- Discuss how art can inspire action for environmental conservation.
Day 6: Sustainability & Animal Observation
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Explore probability and statistics in an animal context.
- Activity: Wildlife Watch
- Collect data on observed animals and calculate probabilities or percentages of sightings.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Wild Encounters
- Read about conservation efforts for animals like wild ponies, wild pigs or rare breed cattle.
- Discuss their role in maintaining ecological balance.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Reflective writing.
- Activity: Animal Diaries
- Write a reflective diary entry from the perspective of an animal observed in the forest.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Use mallets and spades to clear small areas or prepare habitats for wildlife.
Afternoon Theme: Understanding Animals
Activity:
- Visit animals such as wild ponies or pigs in their natural habitats.
- Discuss sustainable farming practices and how humans and animals coexist.
Curriculum Maps: Key Stage 4
KS4 Outcomes
This is a 6-day curriculum map for KS4, integrating Maths and English each morning with a daily reading activity, followed by tool-based sessions and a thematic forest school activity each afternoon. The activities are tailored to meet KS4 National Curriculum standards, focusing on higher-level critical thinking, analysis, and practical applications.
This KS4 curriculum map provides a well-rounded experience with clear links to the National Curriculum, preparing students for higher-level thinking and practical applications in real-world contexts.
Day 1: Algebra in Nature & Persuasive Environmental Writing
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Apply algebraic techniques to environmental contexts.
- Activity: Equations in Ecosystems
- Use algebra to solve real-world problems such as calculating tree growth rates or predicting carbon absorption in a woodland.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: The Power of Persuasion
- Read excerpts from powerful environmental speeches or essays, such as Greta Thunberg’s UN speech or Silent Spring by Rachel Carson.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop persuasive writing skills.
- Activity: Make Your Case for Nature
- Write a speech arguing for the protection of local woodlands, incorporating rhetorical devices like ethos, pathos, and logos.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Advanced use of saws and mallets to create wooden benches or structures for the forest school site.
Afternoon Theme: Woodland-Based Natural Art
Activity:
- Create sculptures inspired by Antony Gormley’s The Field using clay and natural materials.
- Analyse how art can raise awareness about environmental conservation.
Day 2: Geometry in Nature & Research-Based Writing
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Explore geometry in the natural world.
- Activity: Angles in the Wild
- Measure angles in tree branches, analyse symmetry in leaves, and calculate areas of irregular spaces.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Sustainability in Practice
- Read case studies or articles about sustainable gardening techniques.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Create research-based essays.
- Activity: The Science of Gardening
- Write an information text on sustainable gardening, incorporating evidence from reading and research.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Use spades, forks, and pruners to prepare the soil and maintain a small garden plot.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Visit Wildegoose Nursery to learn about sustainable gardening practices.
- Plan and plant a sustainable garden, incorporating water conservation and biodiversity principles.
Day 3: Data Collection & Woodland Management Plans
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Use statistics to analyse biodiversity.
- Activity: Forest Data Analysis
- Conduct a biodiversity survey, collect data on species found, and use statistical methods to interpret results.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Global Woodland Challenges
- Read about global deforestation and conservation efforts, such as the Amazon rainforest or UK reforestation projects.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop analytical writing skills.
- Activity: Woodland Management Report
- Write a detailed management plan for a sustainable woodland, incorporating data from the morning survey.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Practise using knives to carve small, functional woodland tools.
Afternoon Theme: Sustainable Woodland Explorers
Activity:
- Build scale woodland models that demonstrate sustainable management practices, such as coppicing and deadwood retention.
- Discuss the role of woodlands in combating climate change.
Day 4: Fractions, Ratios & Fiction Writing
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Solve complex problems using fractions and ratios.
- Activity: Resource Allocation in Woodlands
- Divide resources like water and sunlight among tree species in mathematical scenarios.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Stories of Survival
- Read an excerpt from eco-focused fiction, such as The Overstory by Richard Powers or Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Create eco-themed fiction.
- Activity: The Last Forest
- Write a short story imagining a future where a single forest holds the key to Earth's survival.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Construct trellises or wooden supports for a garden, incorporating sustainable design principles.
Afternoon Theme: Growing for the Future
Activity:
- Create a detailed plan for a rotational gardening system.
- Discuss the impact of agriculture on the environment and how sustainable farming can address global challenges.
Day 5: Practical Problem-Solving & Sculpting with Clay
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Apply problem-solving skills in environmental contexts.
- Activity: Solving Woodland Challenges
- Work out resource distribution problems or optimise pathways in woodland layouts.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: The Role of Art in Conservation
- Read articles about environmental art, focusing on how artists raise awareness about conservation.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Develop critical thinking through art reviews.
- Activity: Environmental Art Critique
- Write a review of an environmental sculpture, exploring its message and impact.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Use clay carving tools to create detailed, textured designs.
Afternoon Theme: Sculpting in the Forest
Activity:
- Create clay sculptures that highlight the textures and forms of the forest.
- Reflect on how art can inspire sustainable action.
Day 6: Sustainable Farming & Animal Interaction
Morning Session: Maths
Objective: Explore probability and percentages in animal populations.
- Activity: Animal Statistics
- Calculate percentages of different species observed during a visit to wild ponies, wild pigs, and cattle.
Morning Session: Reading (20 minutes)
Activity: Farming and Sustainability
- Read articles on sustainable farming methods and their impact on wildlife.
Morning Session: English
Objective: Reflective and creative writing.
- Activity: Diary of a Farmer
- Write a reflective diary entry imagining life as a sustainable farmer.
Afternoon: Tool Time
Activity: Create small animal shelters using wood and natural materials.
Afternoon Theme: Understanding Animals
Activity:
- Visit wild ponies, wild pigs, or rare breed cattle to observe their behaviours and habitats.
- Discuss sustainable farming practices and the balance between agriculture and nature.