"Forest School" is based on a Scandinavian idea that considers children's contact with nature to be extremely important from an early age.  Educationalists have witnessed the impact that it can have on children.

St. Mary's is now one of over 200 official NIFSA Forest Schools supporting learning outside.

The benefits of Forest Schools for children and society are well documented.

1. Increased confidence and independence of the child.
2. Development of language skills by providing a real context for language.
3. Ability to take risks and to become more open to new experiences.
4. The Forest School program evolves from the needs of the child and includes the child's interests.
5. Provides the practitioner with an alternative view of the child and further insights into a child's development.
6. Beneficial to a child's all-round development, particularly in the areas of personal, social and emotional, language and communication.
7. Underpins the principles laid down in the foundation stage guidelines.
8. The Forest School experience has been very well received by all those involved in it.
9. Provides opportunities for the children to take risks, problem solve and use thinking skills.
10. Complements learning in the classroom and can be transferred.