At Wild Nature School we aim to…
Build self-esteem, confidence and self awareness whilst maintaining a safe environment.
Promote respect, care and empathy for other individuals and the natural environment.
Reinforce collaborative behaviour.
Develop awareness of acceptable, responsible and kind behaviour.
Our facilitators will…
Create a positive environment which encourages nurturing and acceptable behaviour towards one another, the environment and equipment.
Provide opportunities for the children to have autonomy and independence.
Promote effective relationships in which all are accepted, valued and treated equally.
Be mindful of the need to maintain safety.
Establish safety guidelines, often collaboratively with children.
Be positive role models.
Place the needs of children, at the centre of planning to maximise individual success – including their preferred learning styles, social and behavioural needs.
Our students, to the best of their abilities, with or without support will…
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Listen and respond to instructions and requests concerning safety.
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Develop and maintain an empathetic and kind attitude towards one another, the environment and equipment.
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Take ownership and responsibility for their own behaviour.
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Ask for help and support when dealing with emotions and conflict when they need it.
Our Values
Kindness to ourselves – looking after our own needs, emotional literacy.
Kindness to others – empathy, neutral or kind words, acts of kindness.
Kindness to our environment – plants, the earth, water & equipment.
Nature connection – Time to play and get comfortable in the natural world – lying on the earth, hiding in bushes, playing in mud.
Immune systems and nervous systems are boosted, calmed and regulated by being in fresh air and natural light.
Fun – Play based learning, childhood should be FUN.
Our hormones are energised, our immune systems revitalised and our nervous systems can relax.
Being joyful, laughing, playing, connecting all have proven benefits to our overall health.
Curiosity – Children can follow their own interests and questions, creating intrinsically motivated learners.
Risk taking – Children are supported to meet themselves at their own edges in a space where everyone’s individual comfort zone can be catered for. There is no pressure for a child to perform.
Self management – By having autonomy children learn to self manage in a safe space, where they will be supported in their decisions and choices.
We learn by practising, so plenty of opportunities to manage yourself are encouraged.
Self Directed Learning
Self directed learning is our key pedagogy. Autonomy is a basic human need that empowers us to make our own decisions based on self knowledge, age and stage, personality and how we are feeling at that moment. Individual learning styles and interests are respected as we understand that deep learning comes from being intrinsically motivated.
We support and respond to a child’s learning in the moment as it arises, with no expectations that our invitations to play are taken up.
Resources offered are open-ended, this ignites imagination and provides endless creative possibilities.
Self directed learning can look like your children are left alone to work things out. We are aware of various dynamics, shifting relationships and conflicts that happen by building and maintaining open, trusting relationships with each child, playing with the kids, staying connected with the games they play and our daily circles.
We see huge benefits and opportunities for self management by supporting children to try working out conflicts and solving problems among themselves, while knowing that we are there to step in, support and ensure everyone feels safe.
This process is ongoing and works through – regular reminders of our guiding principle and how that LOOKS in practice, talking about emotions/how we feel, modelling clear communication based on “I” statements.
Individual conversations, video messages and reminders, chats with parents & role plays are all commonplace ways we stay connected to students and their individual needs.
