AQW 33254/22-27
Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim
Tabled Date: 10/10/2025
Answered On Date: 20/10/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessment made of the educational, and wellbeing outcomes for pupils participating in Forest School activities.
Answer:
Unfortunately, due to the significant financial constraints facing my Department in this financial year, we do not currently provide funding in respect of Forest Schools. However, I can confirm that Outdoor play is part of the Northern Ireland Curriculum at both the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, specifically within the Areas of Learning "The World Around Us" and "Physical Development and Movement". My Department is committed to helping children in Northern Ireland fully realise the benefits that Forest Schools can bring. My officials and I engage with Forest Schools and outdoor learning initiatives at every opportunity to celebrate, showcase and support the work of Forest Schools in Northern Ireland. In June this year I attended the opening ceremony for Kilmaine Primary School and Nursery Unit’s newly redeveloped Forest School site and my officials have met with representatives of the Northern Ireland Forest School Association (NIFSA) to discuss the benefits of their programmes. As the Department of Education does not currently provide funding in respect of Forest Schools, we do not monitor the number of educational settings engaging with such programmes. However, NIFSA reports having engaged with over 500 educational settings across Northern Ireland. Teachers and schools interested in Forest School programmes can access support through various channels. The Education Authority (EA) has produced professional learning videos on outdoor learning, available via its Supporting Learning website. Additionally, schools may use their own resources to implement a Forest School programme. Although my Department has not published any assessments of the positive outcomes often associated with Forest Schools, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment has published guidance for working with children in pre-school and at Foundation Stage which recognises that being physically active, spending time outdoors and connecting with nature can affect emotions and allow for relaxation, calmness and a heightened sense of wellbeing. In addition to this, educational settings with Forest School provisions have reported increases in pupil confidence, language development, improved pupil behaviour, increased attention and listening, opportunities to develop problem-solving and decision-making skills and many other improved aspects of child development and learning. I was pleased to announce my Curriculum-led Capital Investment Programme in December 2024, with a specific focus on Physical Education. Following this, the Outdoor Learning Project launched in early 2025, which provided funding for outdoor play equipment to all nursery, primary and special schools. A further call was issued to all primary schools, inviting applications for the provision of outdoor covered sports space. Currently there are no plans to include Forest Schools as part of the overall Programme. Through these programmes, I am striving to provide enhanced outdoor facilities for schools, however it is up to schools to determine how best to incorporate these facilities into their delivery of the curriculum.
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