We believe that children need to be exposed to an appropriate level of risk. The children and the leaders constantly risk assess. The Forest School leaders do a termly overall site risk assessment. They also do a daily risk assessment to check any changes that have occured to the site. Additionally, the children are involved in the risk assessment process which makes them more aware of how to stay safe. All activities within Forest School are risk assessed individually.

All tools have a detailed code of conduct and strict rules on how they are to be used. All tool use is supervised. Tools are only used where appropriate. We use whittlers, secateurs, loppers and bow saws. All these tools, apart from the whittlers, are supervised at a 1:1 ratio. The whittlers are supervised at a 1:3 ratio. Please see our tool use risk assessment for more detailed information.

All our Forest School leaders have done a two day outdoor first aid course as well as a paediatric first aid course. All other staff have completed paediatric first aid training.

The Forest School site has a designated fire area. The fire is constantly supervised. The fire site has strict guidlines that staff and children must follow.

Parental consent must be given before your child takes part in any Forest School activities.