Nature Explorers Policies
Equal Opportunities Policies
Nature Explorers believes that the Forest School ethos nurtures and fosters resilience, creativity, confidence and independence in all learners and that all learners deserve an equal chance to be part of programmes. Our projects open to all groups and individuals on condition that they keep to the boundaries that ensure their safety. It is the responsibility of all employees, members and supporters to enforce this policy at all times.
Nature Explorers welcomes all people irrespective of gender, race, culture, colour, creed, sexual orientation, age, class, religion, political belief or disability. We will not tolerate any form of prejudiced or offensive behaviour although we understand that some participants may carry prejudiced or offensive views.
Nature Explorers welcomes all people irrespective of gender, race, culture, colour, creed, sexual orientation, age, class, religion, political belief or disability. We will not tolerate any form of prejudiced or offensive behaviour although we understand that some participants may carry prejudiced or offensive views.
Anti-bullying and ‘Prevent’ Policies
Whilst we understand that some participants may arrive at Nature Explorers holding prejudiced or offensive views, we will not tolerate behaviour that allows any member of the group, or of society in general, to feel ostracised, intimidated, or inadequate. In line with Section 26 of the Counter-terrorism and Security Act (2015), Nature Explorers acknowledges that certain societal conditions lead to dis-enfranchisement and will exercise due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Whilst we understand that some participants may arrive at Nature Explorers holding prejudiced or offensive views, we will not tolerate behaviour that allows any member of the group, or of society in general, to feel ostracised, intimidated, or inadequate. In line with Section 26 of the Counter-terrorism and Security Act (2015), Nature Explorers acknowledges that certain societal conditions lead to dis-enfranchisement and will exercise due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
Behaviour Management Policy (Conduct Policy)
Nature Explorers accepts the feelings and emotions affecting conduct at Forest School and works to help learners understand, celebrate and manage those feelings as appropriate to themselves and others.
Nature Explorers accepts the feelings and emotions affecting conduct at Forest School and works to help learners understand, celebrate and manage those feelings as appropriate to themselves and others.
Inclusion and Access Policy
Nature Explorers works with participants and their carers to ensure that all have equal access to the Forest School site and to the ethos of Forest School. The Forest School leader will work to ensure children with special educational needs are able to experience the six principles of Forest School. Forest School is an intervention and not a treat.
Nature Explorers works with participants and their carers to ensure that all have equal access to the Forest School site and to the ethos of Forest School. The Forest School leader will work to ensure children with special educational needs are able to experience the six principles of Forest School. Forest School is an intervention and not a treat.
| equal_opportunities_policies_and_procedures.pdf |
Environment Policies
Sustainability Policy
The natural environment is key to Forest School. Building a connection to nature will help ensure care and respect for the earth. Nature Explorers aims to maintain a robust environmental and sustainably aware teaching environment. It is of the upmost importance that the Forest School site is managed responsibly and that all participants are encouraged to be involved with this.
The natural environment is key to Forest School. Building a connection to nature will help ensure care and respect for the earth. Nature Explorers aims to maintain a robust environmental and sustainably aware teaching environment. It is of the upmost importance that the Forest School site is managed responsibly and that all participants are encouraged to be involved with this.
Woodland Management Policy
Forest School must balance with the integrity of each eco-system. Nature Explorers seeks to protect, maintain and improve the biodiversity of the site.
Forest School must balance with the integrity of each eco-system. Nature Explorers seeks to protect, maintain and improve the biodiversity of the site.
| environmental_policies_and_procedures.pdf |
Health & Safety Policies
Emergency and Incident Management Policy
Nature Explorers understands the importance of a practised plan in the case of emergency and of notifying appropriate organisations of in the case of such emergencies or contingencies.
Nature Explorers understands the importance of a practised plan in the case of emergency and of notifying appropriate organisations of in the case of such emergencies or contingencies.
Fire Policy
Nature Explorers believes that proper use of fire is an important part of children’s learning.
Nature Explorers believes that proper use of fire is an important part of children’s learning.
Food and Eating Policy
Nature Explorers believes food is an important part of nurturing community at Forest School and that food and eating are important teaching tools. Additionally, Nature Explorers believes that Forest School provides a good opportunity for practising environmentally friendly behaviours.
Nature Explorers believes food is an important part of nurturing community at Forest School and that food and eating are important teaching tools. Additionally, Nature Explorers believes that Forest School provides a good opportunity for practising environmentally friendly behaviours.
Hygiene Policy
Nature Explorers acknowledges the importance of good hygiene in keeping children and adults safe from infectious diseases.
Nature Explorers acknowledges the importance of good hygiene in keeping children and adults safe from infectious diseases.
Insurance Policy
Nature Explorers understands that all Forest School session must be covered by appropriate insurance
Nature Explorers understands that all Forest School session must be covered by appropriate insurance
Medical and First Aid Policy
Nature Explorers understands that it the responsibility of the Forest School leader to ensure that all children and adults at the Forest School sessions have access to appropriate first aid treatment. The administration of medicines is at the discretion of the Forest School leader but this should not contradict our Equal Opportunities Policy
Nature Explorers understands that it the responsibility of the Forest School leader to ensure that all children and adults at the Forest School sessions have access to appropriate first aid treatment. The administration of medicines is at the discretion of the Forest School leader but this should not contradict our Equal Opportunities Policy
Risk Management Policy
Nature Explorers understands that risk-taking is an essential part of holistic development, when it is appropriate to the child and the environment
Nature Explorers understands that risk-taking is an essential part of holistic development, when it is appropriate to the child and the environment
Tools and Equipment Policy
Nature Explorers acknowledges that tools are an important part of children’s learning at Forest School and operate best when they are well maintained.
Nature Explorers acknowledges that tools are an important part of children’s learning at Forest School and operate best when they are well maintained.
Transport and Walking Policy
Nature Explorers sees strong links between environmental sustainability, health and Forest School. We walk to Forest School whenever we are able.
Nature Explorers sees strong links between environmental sustainability, health and Forest School. We walk to Forest School whenever we are able.
Weather and Clothing Policy
Nature Explorers enjoys all types of weather and sees opportunities for play and learning in them. Nevertheless, the safety of participants is never compromised.
Nature Explorers enjoys all types of weather and sees opportunities for play and learning in them. Nevertheless, the safety of participants is never compromised.
| health_and_safety_policies_and_procedures.pdf |
Learning Policies
Play and Learning Policy
Nature Explorers projects are based on a learner–centered pedagogical approach that is responsive to the needs and interest of learners. Play and choice are an integral part of the Forest School. Learning process and free play are recognized as vital to learning and development. Practitioners/supporting adults are all part of the learning community and view themselves as learners. Projects are participant driven and whilst national curricula outcomes may be met they are not the drivers behind a specifically delivered content.
Nature Explorers projects are based on a learner–centered pedagogical approach that is responsive to the needs and interest of learners. Play and choice are an integral part of the Forest School. Learning process and free play are recognized as vital to learning and development. Practitioners/supporting adults are all part of the learning community and view themselves as learners. Projects are participant driven and whilst national curricula outcomes may be met they are not the drivers behind a specifically delivered content.
Observation, Planning and Assessment Policy
Nature Explorers uses the OPERA cycle to scaffolding learning and tailor experiences to individual learning and development. Appropriate planning is a result of accurate and insightful observation. Assessment will be informative and whilst it may link to specific curriculum areas and individual developments these are not the driving forces for assessment.
Nature Explorers uses the OPERA cycle to scaffolding learning and tailor experiences to individual learning and development. Appropriate planning is a result of accurate and insightful observation. Assessment will be informative and whilst it may link to specific curriculum areas and individual developments these are not the driving forces for assessment.
Staffing Policy
Nature Explorers has a qualified Forest School leader to run Forest school projects, supported by additional volunteers. All volunteers must meet criteria set down in our Safeguarding Policy.
Nature Explorers has a qualified Forest School leader to run Forest school projects, supported by additional volunteers. All volunteers must meet criteria set down in our Safeguarding Policy.
| learning_policies_and_procedures.pdf |
Safeguarding Policies
Communication Policy
Nature Explorers is committed to clear and open communication about what goes on at Forest School. All stakeholders (staff, parents/carers, children and volunteers) are part of our Forest School extended community and are be kept informed about Forest School events, procedures and incidents as appropriate. Communication in an emergency situation is covered in our Health and Safety Policies. Some communication matters will be bound by confidentiality (see procedure)
Nature Explorers is committed to clear and open communication about what goes on at Forest School. All stakeholders (staff, parents/carers, children and volunteers) are part of our Forest School extended community and are be kept informed about Forest School events, procedures and incidents as appropriate. Communication in an emergency situation is covered in our Health and Safety Policies. Some communication matters will be bound by confidentiality (see procedure)
Data protection (including social media) Policy
Nature Explorers is committed to protecting personal data. Our collection and use of personal data follows the General Data Protection Regulations (May 2018) and also considers the rights and wishes of all participants whose data is collected, (photographic, video, written). The same considerations are made for the sharing of collected data, particularly on social media/for publicity.
Nature Explorers is committed to protecting personal data. Our collection and use of personal data follows the General Data Protection Regulations (May 2018) and also considers the rights and wishes of all participants whose data is collected, (photographic, video, written). The same considerations are made for the sharing of collected data, particularly on social media/for publicity.
Disclosing Policy
Participants at Nature Explorers may feel they can trust adults enough to speak to them about abuse (physical, emotional, sexual or neglect). All disclosure is taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
Participants at Nature Explorers may feel they can trust adults enough to speak to them about abuse (physical, emotional, sexual or neglect). All disclosure is taken seriously and responded to appropriately.
Lost Child Policy
The Forest School environment necessitates different boundaries to those of an indoor space. Nature Explorers balances this with the need to safeguard the children.
The Forest School environment necessitates different boundaries to those of an indoor space. Nature Explorers balances this with the need to safeguard the children.
Vetting and Barring Policy
Nature Explorers is committed to the safety of everyone attending Forest School sessions. Appropriate vetting and barring procedures will help to attain this.
Nature Explorers is committed to the safety of everyone attending Forest School sessions. Appropriate vetting and barring procedures will help to attain this.
Visitor Policy
Invited visitors to Forest School can enhance the Forest School community through their own skills and experiences and by joining in celebrations. Uninvited visitors are not always a threat to the safety of the participants and clear procedures are in place to ensure visitors do not disrupt sessions.
Invited visitors to Forest School can enhance the Forest School community through their own skills and experiences and by joining in celebrations. Uninvited visitors are not always a threat to the safety of the participants and clear procedures are in place to ensure visitors do not disrupt sessions.
| safeguarding_policies_and_procedures.pdf |
Privacy Policy
Who we are
Nature Explorers is a forest school based at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, Suffolk, UK. It is facilitated by Stephanie Holland, alongside Frank Carn-Pryor from Explore Outdoor, both of whom are Level 3 Forest School Practitioners. We are assisted by a select group of parent volunteers.
What this privacy policy covers
This policy covers how Nature Explorers treats personal information that we collect and receive. Personal information is information about you that is personally identifiable like your name, address, email address or phone number, or about your children and that is not otherwise publicly available.
Information collection and use
Nature Explorers collects personal information whenever a user chooses to contact us via our website contact form, or submits a booking form using the link on the website. We also collect personal information from direct contact by email or through our Facebook page. When contacting us using our website’s contact form we ask for your name, e-mail address and telephone number. When filling in the booking form, we ask for your name, address, email address, telephone number, an emergency contact’s number, your child’s name and age, and relevant medical history.
Individual rights over personal information
You have the right to be informed about information held by us about you and to have access upon your request to that information from us within one month of requesting it. It is your right to have information rectified if it is incorrect or to be erased if you request us to do so.
Information sharing and disclosure
We do not rent, sell or share personal information about you with anyone. We will use reasonable efforts to ensure that your personal data is not disclosed to regional/national institutions and authorities, unless required by law or other regulations.
Changes to this privacy policy
We may update this policy. We will notify you about significant changes in the way we treat personal information by placing a prominent notice on our website.
Policy written by S.Holland
Date policy completed 22nd May 2018
Policy review due 22nd May 2019
Who we are
Nature Explorers is a forest school based at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village, Suffolk, UK. It is facilitated by Stephanie Holland, alongside Frank Carn-Pryor from Explore Outdoor, both of whom are Level 3 Forest School Practitioners. We are assisted by a select group of parent volunteers.
What this privacy policy covers
This policy covers how Nature Explorers treats personal information that we collect and receive. Personal information is information about you that is personally identifiable like your name, address, email address or phone number, or about your children and that is not otherwise publicly available.
Information collection and use
Nature Explorers collects personal information whenever a user chooses to contact us via our website contact form, or submits a booking form using the link on the website. We also collect personal information from direct contact by email or through our Facebook page. When contacting us using our website’s contact form we ask for your name, e-mail address and telephone number. When filling in the booking form, we ask for your name, address, email address, telephone number, an emergency contact’s number, your child’s name and age, and relevant medical history.
Individual rights over personal information
You have the right to be informed about information held by us about you and to have access upon your request to that information from us within one month of requesting it. It is your right to have information rectified if it is incorrect or to be erased if you request us to do so.
Information sharing and disclosure
We do not rent, sell or share personal information about you with anyone. We will use reasonable efforts to ensure that your personal data is not disclosed to regional/national institutions and authorities, unless required by law or other regulations.
Changes to this privacy policy
We may update this policy. We will notify you about significant changes in the way we treat personal information by placing a prominent notice on our website.
Policy written by S.Holland
Date policy completed 22nd May 2018
Policy review due 22nd May 2019
