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Forest School is an alternative after-school club operated by AGOSC, specifically designed for children attending Ashton Gate Primary School, with a focus on outdoor activities and play. Running from Monday to Thursday, forest school is exclusively available for Key Stage 2 children, who are returned to Old Chapel Park (KS2 Site) by 5:45 PM for collection by 6:00 PM.
Throughout the majority of the year, activities take place at Greville Smyth Park; however, during the darker winter months (Terms 2 and 3), Forest School utilise a newly established Forest School area at Old Chapel Park to ensure a safe and engaging environment for the children.
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Afternoon plan:
- Collection: Forest School children are collected from the Upton Site with the rest of After School Club, at 3.00pm. We then come back to the Old Chapel Park site, where we get ready for Forest School. We leave by 4.00pm and travel to whichever site we are using for that session.
- Talk Time: Once we arrive at our site for the session, we set up a ‘base’, discuss boundaries and hazards, and have break (a biscuit and piece of fruit). We then discuss what our activities or games are for the session.
- Snack: We have a second snack at 5pm. For Forest School this is usually a choice between a Rice Cake or Cheese Twist. This changes if we do a food activity – to the food we create. Water and cups are always available.
- Free Play: A fundamental part of AGOSC is child-led play we continue this at Forest School. The children have the opportunity for free play throughout their entire time with us.
- Risky Play: A huge part of Forest School, and any child’s play, is calculated risk-taking. This is a fundamental block in a child’s development. For example, climbing trees – we have rules for how and when children are permitted to climb, as we want to keep them safe while they do so, but also we understand how important it is that they are able to learn new skills and take risks.
- Activities: We have different activities each week, which will usually be put on Famly for the start of each term. They vary from teamwork games, creating, challenges, topics of interest (child selected), to practicing whittling with knives, and using Flint and Steel.
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Additional Information:
Wet Weather Plan:
Forest School aims to be outdoors in all weathers, the only exception being thunderstorms. This makes it extra important that children have appropriate clothing!
In circumstances where we feel it is not safe enough to be outside for the whole session, we will use the breakfast room at Old Chaple Park.
Our general Kit List is:
- A coat (waterproof and warm!)
- Hat & Gloves
- LOTS of layers (for when it gets cold)!
- Spare clothes (you don’t mind getting muddy!)
- Comfy Shoes (you don’t mind getting muddy!)
School Clubs:
Unfortunately, children cannot do a school club and then come to Forest School. Due to After school club and Forest School being separate sessions they therefore require separate booking. After School club and Forest spaces are non-transferable and therefore have separate waiting lists.
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Session Fees:
2025/26 session cost is £10.20 per session per child.
An annual registration fee also applies.
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Meet the Forest School Team
Ashton Gate Out of School Care 