Company/Organisation Profile

Sense of Wonder Forest School is run by 2 Forest School Leaders, Rebecca & Yuuki, with the aim to provide dynamic play environments in the woods and give children the opportunity to connect with nature in a fun and creative environment. We run weekly Forest School programmes at Killiney Hill, South Dublin.

Link to our website is here: https://www.senseofwonderforestschool.com/

Forest School is an ethos, a way of working with children in nature over time, not a place or institution as the name might suggest. At Forest School children of all ages visit the same woodland or natural area on a regular basis, usually for 2-3 hours once weekly, with qualified Forest School Leaders. We work with the same small-sized group of people every week over a longterm basis.

At Forest School we are a community of learners, as in we co-create our group agreements, we build trust, we are encouraged to learn through play, learn about nature and develop our connection to it, how to handle and assess risks and most importantly to use our own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.

Placement Details

This is a paid placement.

We are looking for someone to assist 2 forest school leaders once a week for 2.5 hours at Killiney Hill.

This is paid work experience with the possibility of additional hours and work in the future.

We are looking for someone who:

• A passion for the outdoors (we operate rain or shine)
• A willingness to be playful (e.g. playing games, sing songs etc)
• Enjoys being creative
• Likes to learn new skills
• Enjoys working with children or has an interest in working with children.  
• Cares about the environment
• Good communication, listening and observation skills

About the placement

This position is to assist 2 forest school leaders each week over a period of 10 weeks, working with the same group of children in the outdoors each week. As forest school leaders we make a plan for each session, this is guided weekly by observing and listening to the children’s interests and guided by the cycles of nature.

Typical activities you can expect at forest school:

-  Shelter building, mudplay

-  Foraging, wild food and wild medicines

-  Safe use of tools

-  Arts and crafts

-   Storytelling

-   Tracking animals

-   Ecology education

-   Sensory connection and minfullness experiences, meditation, movement

- Music making

- Storytelling

-  Circle time, sharing, reflection

As part of the team, we welcome and encourage creative ideas you may want to bring to each weekly session. A huge part of forest school is observing and listening to the children’s needs and then integrating that. We also provide a supportive environment for you to grow in new skills and experiences. Whether that be storytelling, leading a circle or an activity etc.

Forest school goes ahead in all weathers, except for high winds and extreme weather conditions. For this role you will need to have waterproof coat/trousers and a good pair of shoes.

We welcome applications from students, people who have qualified in their degree but also accept applications from non-qualified candidates who share our desire to reconnect children with nature.

How to Apply

To express your interest in applying for work paid experience with Sense of Wonder Forest School, please email Rebecca at [email protected] attaching your CV and/or brief cover with some info about you, your interests and experience to date.