Reimagining Learning: Power, Risk, and Place in Forest Schools

What happens when education steps outside the traditional classroom and into the forest? Forest Schools provide unique, dynamic spaces where children learn through exploration, autonomy, and engagement with managed risks. These spaces do more than redefine learning – they challenge conventional notions of power, safety, and the boundaries of education itself. Drawing on Foucault’s theories of power, Massey’s (2005) conceptualisation of space, and Garden’s (2022, 2023, 2024) pivotal research, this blog explores how Forest Schools transform the educator-student dynamic, foster growth through risk, and create relational, ever-evolving educational environments. These elements collectively offer a lens to rethink education beyond traditional classrooms, while also addressing tensions in reimagining educational practices.