On Monday 24 August, ESDF attended the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA) Local Area Forest School (LAFS) event at Kings Park Primary School in Newtownabbey.

We joined teachers, classroom assistants, outdoor learning practitioners, speakers and staff for a day of talks, practical activities, updates and celebrating the work to date. It was a great opportunity to share ideas, develop new skills and explore how outdoor learning can become an even more integral part of education across Northern Ireland.

NIFSA shared some exciting updates on the growth of Forest School across Northern Ireland. To date, more than 1,100 teachers have been trained, with around 100 completing training in the past year, while 300 schools have achieved NIFSA certification. NIFSA also highlighted several new partnerships with Muddy Puddles, Muddy Faces, Field Studies Ireland and Twinkl NI, alongside the launch of a new website and developments that will make it easier for schools to access support and resources.

A key ambition for outdoor learning is to see 10,000 pupils outdoors every month, supporting children and young people to spend more meaningful time learning and engaging with the natural environment. With children under 16 currently spending less than 24 minutes outdoors per day and around 50% of pupils experiencing anxiety, NIFSA are working to aim of “An Hour A Week is What We Seek.”

NIFSA continues to lobby the Northern Ireland Assembly following its motion on outdoor learning, and is calling for outdoor learning to be recognised within the new curriculum guidance. The current Transform Ed consultation is open until 30 September, providing an important opportunity to influence the future direction of education.

NIFSA would like to see outdoor learning within the new curriculum guidance. This includes the use of images and examples of outdoor learning practice, and recognition of the important contribution outdoor learning can make to children’s development and education.

The event also included a presentation from Dr Karen Kerr of Queen’s University Belfast, exploring findings from her recent research Outdoor Learning in Northern Ireland’s Schools in 2026: A Review

Attendees also heard from Twinkl NI, who presented their range of NIFSA worksheets and resources to support outdoor learning. You can access the resources for free here.

A major part of the LAFS event was getting outdoors and learning through practical activities. Participants explored den-building approaches suitable for children from Foundation Stage through to Key Stage 2 and developed skills in facilitating woodwork safely and fire building. There was also an opportunity to learn how to make popcorn safely outdoors with different age groups and of course, taste testing! These practical sessions demonstrated how outdoor learning can be adapted for children of different ages and abilities, while developing confidence, creativity, practical skills and curriculum links.

After a lovely outdoor lunch shared with teachers, classroom assistants, speakers and staff, we heard from Jessica Bradford, who is currently undertaking work experience with ESDF. Jessica presented her paper on Next Steps for Outdoor Learning in Northern Ireland, making links between her research, NIFSA and the current curriculum consultation.

Our venue for the day, Kings Park Primary School, is itself developing an exciting approach to outdoor learning through its Rooted Curriculum. The Rooted Curriculum is being developed alongside updates to the school grounds, creating opportunities to connect outdoor learning with all areas of the curriculum and across all age groups. The school has made its resources available to share. More information can be found via www.kingsparkps.co.uk

The day finished with a very special celebration: the NIFSA Level 3 Forest School graduations. A huge congratulations to everyone graduating. Your commitment to developing outdoor learning opportunities for children and young people across Northern Ireland is something to celebrate.

A big Thank You to NIFSA for organising and delivering the day! With LAFS events continuing all week in locations across Northern Ireland, we hope everyone attending has a fantastic learning experience, enjoys taking part and comes away with new ideas and inspiration.

NIFSA offers training from Level 1 to Level 3, as well as a Level 4 management course and outdoor first aid training. There are also Nature Ranger Clubs, the new Nurture Nature Programme, and exciting developments including a new nursery at Clandeboye Estate and a new NIFSA website featuring a schools dashboard.

For schools and practitioners interested in finding out more, visit Forest Schools in Northern Ireland