Forest School is based on a Scandinavian idea that considers children's contact with nature to be extremely important from an early age.

At St Colmcille's PS / Bunscoil Naomh Colmcille, we are lucky to have the use of our very own woodland area on our school site. We are an official Forest School accredited by the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA).  Teachers use our outdoor setting to encourage our children to embrace learning in a challenging, natural woodland environment. This nature-based learning focuses on the holistic development of the child. 

In forest school, activities are provided, but rather than being adult-led, each child chooses and tailors the activity to suit them, while teachers observe their preferences and development. Children learn to care for the natural environment through their activities.

We love to extend our learning to the outdoors. In order to develop this outdoor learning throughout the school, Miss Gillespie, R1-2 completed the OCN NI Level 4 Forest School Manager Qualification.  As a result of this achievement,  St Colmcille's PS / Bunscoil Naomh Colmcille, has been awarded the Forest School Accreditation – Elder Award. Keep an eye out in the school entrance for our new plaque! We look forward to developing our Forest School activities further and to continuing to take our classroom learning outdoors.