1.2- Learning Resources (Unit 3): Explain how learning theory has been applied to own
Forest School sessions/experiences
I have previously been part of two different experiences of Forest School in the UK as an observer,
one for SEN for visually and severely physically disabled participants and the other was for children
who are disengaged and removed from main stream schooling and attending a Pupil Referral Unit.
Two completely contrasting experiences.
I would say there is no magic bullet or one theory of best practice, when choosing a theory to
legitimise a particular type of Forest School pathway.
However, based on the experience’s I have been party to when Forest School has been made
available I would choose Blackwells Growth Cycle as the one that best fits the experience and needs
at the Pupil Referral Unit where I saw it in practice. I observed the boundaries, belonging, build and
belief elements in process due to the behaviours exhibited when observing the Forest School
element of the Unit, but was not able to see these transition into brilliance and biology, due to the
limited amount of time that I was at this particular establishment.
Blackwells Growth Cycle
For the establishment that was catering for its SEN residents I would say that I observed the Leuven
Scale for Wellbeing in practice. I observed some participants beginning at Level 1 and over a period
of time I noticed that many, during their Forest School experiences, achieved level 5.
Forest School sessions/experiences
I have previously been part of two different experiences of Forest School in the UK as an observer,
one for SEN for visually and severely physically disabled participants and the other was for children
who are disengaged and removed from main stream schooling and attending a Pupil Referral Unit.
Two completely contrasting experiences.
I would say there is no magic bullet or one theory of best practice, when choosing a theory to
legitimise a particular type of Forest School pathway.
However, based on the experience’s I have been party to when Forest School has been made
available I would choose Blackwells Growth Cycle as the one that best fits the experience and needs
at the Pupil Referral Unit where I saw it in practice. I observed the boundaries, belonging, build and
belief elements in process due to the behaviours exhibited when observing the Forest School
element of the Unit, but was not able to see these transition into brilliance and biology, due to the
limited amount of time that I was at this particular establishment.
Blackwells Growth Cycle
For the establishment that was catering for its SEN residents I would say that I observed the Leuven
Scale for Wellbeing in practice. I observed some participants beginning at Level 1 and over a period
of time I noticed that many, during their Forest School experiences, achieved level 5.
