For Schools Programme

2018/2019

‘Thank you for the wonderful last year you have given A. ‘You have given us all
She has loved every single second of her time with you and we confidence and reassured
have enjoyed watching as her mind and imagination has us when we’ve needed it.
expanded. You run a deliciously happy, progressive and life- We really appreciate the
changing Forest School.’ extra time and support you
provided.’
’

“Even better than a bucket full of

sweets!”
Contents

Page 3 Welcome
Page 4 Wigwam Forest School Aims, Development, School Participation
Page 5 Wigwam Forest School Staff and Management
Page 6 Our Experience
Page 7 Our Research into Outdoor Learning
Page 8 Forest School Principles, Wigwam Forest School Approach
Page 9 Five Week Programme, Fees
Page 10 Our availability 2018/2019
Page 11 Policies, Safeguarding, Medical, First Aid, Safety and Security
Page 12 Learning Journals and Parents Evening
Page 13 Parent Participation and Key Worker
Page 14 Starting at Wigwam
Page 15 Policies, Safeguarding, Confidentiality, Insurance and Medical
Page 16 First Aid, Safety and Security, Behaviour
Page 17 Behaviour, Photography, Special Needs, Equal Opportunities
Page 18 Complaints, Terms and Conditions
Page 19 Contact Details

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Mrs Frances Horgan
1 Marden Way
Wigwam Office: 07950 887901
Frances: 07870 564477 Natalie: 07748 882321
Emergency contact: 01730 892126
wigwamcamps@gmail.com
www.wigwamforest.weebly.com

Welcome to Wigwam

Forest Schooling has a proven track record of helping to improve children’s confidence and self-
esteem. It gives children the space and freedom to experiment, to make mistakes and learn from
them. They feel safe in the knowledge that they don’t have to be perfect and have the time to try
again, building up their resilience. Other skills such as working in a team, managing risk and
exploring the boundaries of their learning, not only helps increase a child’s academic achievement,
but are essential skills for life.

Thank you, therefore, for your interest in Wigwam Forest School. We know how important it is to
select the right Forest School programme. Natalie is a level 3 forest school practitioner and Early
Years teacher and Frances has Early Years Professional Status and is a qualified Montessori
teacher. We have an excellent understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National
Curriculum and can tailor our five week courses to fit in around your school’s particular requirements.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a woodland on site, we have several nearby locations that we can
access or, alternatively we can assess your school grounds and utilise the space you have.

For Further information, please do get in touch, we would be happy to answer any questions you may
have.

Natalie Gafford and Frances Horgan

Head Teachers of Wigwam Forest School

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Wigwam Forest School Aims

 To work in partnership with school staff to develop a Forest School programme, tailored to
meeting the needs of the children and the requirements of the school
 To provide high quality opportunities for an enriched education
 To promote holistic development fostering resilient, confident and creative learners
 To offer opportunities for children to take supported risks appropriate to the abilities and to the
environment
 To offer a service that promotes equality and values diversity

Children's development during our Forest School programme

We aim to ensure that each child:

 feels welcomed, valued and respected
 is given generous care and attention
 has opportunities to join in with other children and adults
 is supported in building their knowledge and understanding of the world
 is observed and supported individually
 is accessed for progress in their growing confidence and self-esteem

School participation

Our designated contact at your school has full participatory rights. These include a right to be:
 valued and respected;
 kept informed;
 consulted;
 involved; and
 included at all levels

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The management of Wigwam Forest School
Wigwam Forest School is owned and governed by Natalie Gafford and Frances Horgan.
Wigwam Forest School Staff
Name Job Title Qualifications
Natalie Gafford Forest School BA Hons in Early Years
Practitioner Childhood Studies,
Forest School Level 3
Practitioner,
Community Sports
Leadership Award,
ILM level 3 in
Leadership and
Business Management,
Level 2 Activity First Aid.
Frances Horgan Montessori Educator BA Hons in Early Years
Early Years Teacher Childhood Studies, Early
Years Professional
Status, Ofsted inspector,
Montessori Educator,
Paediatric First Aid.
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Experience
Joint Head Teacher,
SENCO and Forest
School Practitioner at
Wigwam Forest School
Kindergarten, Mentor for
Outreach and
Intervention for the
Surrey Alternative
Learning Programme,
Outdoor Activities
Teacher at the South
West Surrey Short Stay
School and Harbour
School.
Joint Head Teacher at
Wigwam Forest School,
Safeguarding and INCO
Officer, Ofsted
Inspector,
Montessori Teacher,
Volunteer fundraiser for
the Rural Refugee
Network.
Our experience

Natalie Gafford is our lead Forest School Practitioner. In addition to a level three Forest School
qualification and in-depth outdoor first aid certificate, Natalie is a qualified Early Years Teacher with
15 years’ experience of teaching and leading intervention services for children in mainstream
education. Prior to embarking on Wigwam Forest School, Natalie taught Outdoor Activities for the
South West Surrey Short Stay School, The Harbour Schools in Portsmouth and co-ordinated
mentoring and intervention programmes for The Petersfield School and Bohunt Academy.

Frances Horgan is a qualified and experienced Montessori and Early Years Teacher with 15 years’
experience teaching and managing Early Years provision. Frances was instrumental in opening the
highly successful Westbourne House Pre-Prep Nursery School. She is a qualified Ofsted inspector
and has an in depth understanding of the Early Years curriculum. Together Natalie and Frances set
up Wigwam Forest School in 2016 offering outdoor holiday clubs for children aged three to eight
years old. In 2017 Natalie and Frances opened Wigwam Forest School Kindergarten and have
continued to grow their business to include the “Wigwam Forest School for Schools” programme.

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Our research into outdoor learning

To gain a better understanding of outdoor learning, Wigwam Forest School visited Scandinavia - the
pioneers of outdoor learning. From discussions with head teachers and parents living and working in
Denmark and Sweden, we discovered first hand some of the merits of open air learning for education
and well-being:

‘In Northern Sweden, we feel it is very important for children and adults to spend time in natural
spaces. We have very few hours of sunlight in the winter months and as such spending that time
outside during daylight hours is really important for our mental health’ (Parent living in Sweden, 2017).

‘In Denmark children experience primarily outdoor experiences until they start school at six or seven
years of age. Nevertheless, children continue to enjoy outdoor learning until the end of primary school,
where teachers include regular visits to natural spaces to give real-life meaning to academic learning in
Numeracy, Science and Geography.’ (Head Teacher, central Copenhagen, 2017).

‘During outdoor learning, children engage with the world around them. Subsequently they encounter,
identify and managing real-life problems and risks which they must work out for themselves or with
their friends. This promotes resilience and gives children the confidence to be courageous and take on
challenges both outside and inside the classroom.’ (Head teacher and Teacher Trainer in Denmark,
2017).

It is clear to see that Denmark and Sweden lay a solid foundation for positive mental health outcomes
for children throughout early and primary years of education. This continues into adulthood where
Denmark achieve pole position on the World Happiness Scale and are closely followed by their
Scandinavian neighbours. Furthermore, despite the relatively late start to more formal and classroom
based learning, Scandinavia continue to rank highly for academic achievement in the Programme for
International Student Assessment. Consequently, Scandinavian pedagogy has been adopted and
adapted over a period of thirty years to enable Forest School practitioners to offer something very
special for children in the UK.

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Forest School and its overarching principles

Forest Schooling is based upon Scandinavian approaches to education, centred largely on real-life
learning, in natural environments. A Forest School programme runs regularly with a small group of
children and adults over a period of at least five weeks. Forest Schooling employs a learner centred
approach to promoting children’s healthy social and emotional development, studies such as Coates
and Pimlott-Wilsons (2017) have also proven its benefits to academic achievement.

Forest Schooling is planned and delivered by a Level Three Forest School Practitioner and an
assistant with a suitable First Aid qualification. Forest Schooling offers opportunities for children to be
instrumental in the direction of their programme, engaging in activities that excite and interest them.
During a session, children are encouraged to take appropriate risk offering opportunities for children
to achieve but also to learn from their mistakes, which in turn, helps builds resilience. Forest
Schooling also engages children with their natural environment fostering an understanding and
respect for the natural world.

Wigwam Forest School approach

At Wigwam Forest School, we encompass Forest School principals and our own expertise in
teaching to provide a professional, safe and successful Forest School experience. Wigwam Forest
School are insured through Morton Michel for all activities and we maintain the ratio of adults to
children set by Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements. In addition, we ensure Forest School
activities are supervised above and beyond our legal requirements.

This helps us to:

 give time and attention to each child;
 talk with the children about their interests and activities;
 help children to experience and benefit from the activities we provide; and
 allow children to explore and be adventurous in safety.

Our positive working relationships with schools, enables us to tailor specific activities that develop
and broaden the groups knowledge and understanding, complementing the work you do. Children
are allowed time to explore their own interests which helps promote an active motivation for learning.

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During our programme, each child is encouraged to take supported risks appropriate to their needs
and abilities, allowing them to develop resilience and persistence. Wigwam Forest School believe
that care, education and joy are of equal importance. In essence, we offer a holistic experience that
supports a healthy emotional development, gives instruction in practical life skills and, above all, is
enjoyable for everyone.

Wigwam Forest School five-week programme

 five weekly sessions,

 for up to ten children aged three to twelve years,
 from your own woodland or we can provide a location
 Each session is 2 hours long,

Fees Spring 2019

Five Week Programme Times Fees

At your school site 10:00 am – 12:00 pm £55 per child, per programme
At your school site 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm £55 per child, per programme
At Wigwam Forest School site 10:00 am – 12:00 pm £75 per child, per programme
At Wigwam Forest School site 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm £75 per child, per programme

* We are happy to accept fewer than ten children per session however please note that Wigwam
Forest School charge a minimum fee of seven children per term.

Other Terms Details

Registration Fee A £50 non-refundable administration fee is required
Billing and Wigwam Forest School bill the Forest School Programme fees in advance of each
Payment term. Payment will be required seven days before the start of each term. A charge
of £10 per day for late payments will be billed separately. Payment to sort code:
60-01-13 account number: 44167180 referencing your school’s name.
Session changes Changes must be notified before the first day of term. In the event of a child being
unable to complete their attendance fees will not be refunded, in extenuating
circumstances contact Frances Horgan or Natalie Gafford to discuss.

Must be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions, available on request and via our website.

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Wigwam Forest School Availability 2018/2019

July 2018 August 2018 September 2018

Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
1 1 2 3 4 5 1 2
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
30 31

October 2018 November 2018 December 2018

Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 2
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

2019

January 2019 February 2019 March 2019

Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
1 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 1 2 3 9 1 2 3
2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 6 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
3 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 7 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
4 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 8 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 12 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
5 28 29 30 31 9 25 26 27 28 13 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

April 2019 May 2019 June 2019

Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 18 1 2 3 4 5 22 1 2
15 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 19 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 23 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
16 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 24 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 25 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
18 29 30 22 27 28 29 30 31 26 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

July 2019
Nº Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su
27 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
No availability
28 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Available for booking
29 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
30 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
31 29 30 31

To book a place please email:

Wigwamcamps@gmail.com

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Policies

Copies of our Policies and Procedures are available on our website and should be consulted in
conjunction with this document. Our policies help us to make sure that the service provided is of a
high standard, is enjoyable and beneficial for the children and her/his parents.

Safeguarding children

Wigwam Forest School has a duty under the law to help safeguard children against suspected or
actual ‘significant harm’. Wigwam Forest School employs practices to protect children against the
likelihood of abuse during our sessions. We have a procedure for managing complaints or allegations
against a member of staff or child. More details are available in our Safeguarding policy accessible
via our website.

Medical

Wigwam Forest School must be kept informed of all medical details affecting a child’s health or
behaviour. When children join the Wigwam Forest School Programme parents are required to fill out
our registration form (please see page 14 for details) if any medical details change, Wigwam Forest
School must be made aware of these changes in writing via email to wigwamforest@gmail.com

First aid

At least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate must be on site and available at
all times when children are present. A first aid box is accessible at all times, with appropriate content
for use with children. Wigwam Forest School keep a written record of accidents, incidents and first
aid treatment as well as reporting near misses.

Safety and security

We maintain the highest possible security, all employed staff have been checked for criminal records
via an enhanced disclosure with children’s barred list check through the Disclosure and Barring
Service. All children are supervised by adults and at least two adults are present. We carry out risk
assessments on each location and for each activity. Most Forest School activities include an element
of risk, above and beyond those children may face on a regular day to day basis. We supervise

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activities that present higher risks with higher staff ratios. Wigwam Forest School believe it is
imperative for children to encounter risk, so that they can learn to make their own assessments.

Behaviour

We believe that children flourish when their personal, social and emotional needs are understood,
supported and met and where there are clear, fair and developmentally appropriate expectations for
behaviour. As children develop, they learn about values, the difference between kind and unkind
behaviour, to consider the views and feelings, and needs and rights, of others and the impact that
their behaviour has on people, places and objects. The development of these skills requires adult and
peer guidance to help encourage and model appropriate values and behaviours and to offer
intervention and support when children struggle with conflict and emotional situations.

Photography and Data Storage

If parents wish for their children to be included in Wigwam Forest Schools marketing, they must sign
our registration form accordingly. Wigwam Forest School abide by the Human Rights Act (1998) and
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018), for all data storage further details can be
accessed via our website.

Special needs

We make all reasonable adjustments to provide for the individual needs of children. We work to the
requirements of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (2015).
Our Special Needs Coordinator, Natalie Gafford, is highly experienced in inclusion matters and will
be happy to discuss the needs of children in your setting and how we may be able to accommodate
these.

Equal opportunities

Wigwam Forest School follow their legal responsibilities under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

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Complaints

Parents, children and school staff are encouraged to take complaints to management of Wigwam
Forest School. Complaints may be escalated following our Complaints Procedure which is available
to view via our website.

Terms and Conditions

Please see our website for our Terms and Conditions. Fees must still be paid if children are absent.

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Contact details

Mrs Frances Horgan

1 Marden Way
Petersfield
Wigwam Office: 07950 887901
Frances: 07870 564477 Natalie: 07748 882321
Emergency contact: 01730 892126
wigwamcamps@gmail.com
www.wigwamforest.weebly.com

Wigwam Forest School Address

We use the parking, hall and toileting facilities at St John The Baptist Church at Greatham, our
woodland is located just behind the chapel.
St John the Baptist
Greatham,
Liss,
Hampshire,
GU33 6HB

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