Wild Tribe
A Guide for Parents
Look after yourself
Look after each other
Look after the environment
This is the best kind of classroom,
It’s a journey through time and space,
From the smallest seed to the largest tree,
This is a Forest and a learning place.
This is the best kind of classroom,
Where the seasons don’t happen in books.
Where the learning is watching and thinking and talking
And everyone notices, everyone looks.”
From ‘The best Kind of Classroom’ by Ian MacMillan
What is Wild Tribe?
Wild Tribe has been based on the principles of Forest schools which was developed from the Scandinavian education system and is about young people building self- esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing the natural world. Forest Schools is a long term programme delivered by trained practitioners within a natural environment (not necessarily a Forest!). The main difference between Forest Schools and Wild tribe is that Wild Tribe has been developed by teachers and practitioners working alongside each other to ensure that units of exploration have been developed, which meet the needs of all learners, not just early years, and meets the requirements of the new national curriculum covering a range of curriculum areas. Each Wild tribe unit of exploration is tailored to meet the needs of individuals within that group and is continuously developed as the young people grow in confidence, skills and understanding as a result of their exploration.
The ethos of Forest Schools allows learners the time and space to develop skills, interests and understanding through practical, hands-on experiences. It also allows practitioners to step back and observe the
young people in order to then encourage and inspire individuals to achieve through careful scaffolding and facilitating. Wild tribe has been developed based on the principles of Forest schools but with our own natural Cornish twist.
Our wild tribe sessions will be based on the school site and field and will take place every Monday and Wednesday for this term. We may take other opportunities in the week to go outside and the weather will only stop us if it is extremely wet or dangerously windy; so could you please ensure that your child has a change of clothes for Wild Tribe in school on a Monday. We will send it home, if necessary, on a Friday.
The site has some natural features (we may import natural materials such as sticks, logs, leaves and seeds).
What does my child need?
Your child just needs to bring themselves. However, what they wear is important. The children must wear:
- long trousers
- long sleeved tops/jumpers
- have waterproof jackets
- wellies or old trainers.
All in one waterproofs or waterproof trousers are also advised.
Please be aware that these clothes are likely to get dirty and wet at times so don't send anything 'best'.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of all participants is central to everything done within a Wild tribe programme. Wild tribe Practitioners are fully trained in risk assessment and emergency outdoor first aid. Every Wild Tribe Programme will have; a Health and Safety policy; a seasonally and daily
risk assessed site; risk assessments for activities; first aid and emergency equipment. Some of the activities the pupils may participate in are
‘higher-risk activities’ (such as campfire cooking or tool use). However,
these activities are not available to the pupils until certain behaviours and boundaries are established. Pupils are encouraged and supported in recognising and managing risk for themselves, through real life situations and experiences.
What will the children be doing?
The Wild Tribe routine varies depending on the day and season, however, it may include:
- Natural crafts – making necklaces from elder, crowns or dream catchers from willow, collages from natural materials, weaving with long grasses, tree cookies, etc
- Mud sculptures
- Shelter building and knot tying
- Tree climbing
- Using tools for a purpose – such as peeling bark from sticks with potato peelers to make toasting forks.
- Fire building and cooking on a camp fire
- Plus other activities linked to English, Maths, Science or a particular topic.
What benefits will my child get from participating in wild tribe?
Wild tribe supports the holistic development of the pupil:
- Health and fitness – Being active in an outdoor, natural environment.
- Increased emotional wellbeing.
- Social development – Communicating, and negotiating with peers and adults to solve problems and share experiences.
- Skills development – Developing fine and gross motor skills and coordination for real purposes.
- Gaining knowledge and understanding – Multi–sensory, real-life learning.
- Individualised learning – Careful observation allows adults to tailor support to pupils’ own interests and stage of development.
- Curriculum Links – Wild tribe supports many areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum and National Curriculum.
How are sessions planned?
Sessions are planned around the individual’s and group’s needs, and built upon each week. All Wild Tribe Practitioners are qualified through nationally recognised and accredited training, therefore ensuring Wild Tribe is a high quality learning experience. The earlier sessions will concentrate on safety; establishing boundaries and routines. As the pupils develop in confidence
and familiarity with the environment, the sessions focus on the development and consolidation of skills and understanding and link further with national curriculum areas.