The increased risks associated with Forest school have to be managed carefully to ensure the children are safe whilst taking part in the riskier activities.

Teaching them to self-assess the situation around them is an important part of Forest school and gives them a skill that is useful in later life to keep them safe.

One of the first things we ask them to do when we arrive at the site is to examine the four layers of the woodland structure for hazards.

The four layers (as seen below) appear in Broadleaved Woodland. (Coniferous Woodland is different - it is mainly tall pines with no other layers beneath as the canopy does not let enough light through for plants to grow beneath).

Ground level weeds have deep roots that mine the soil and keep it healthy. However, the roots can trip children up so they need to be made aware of them. Brambles and gorse in the field layer provide food for the birds but can scratch children's arms and legs or have poisonous berries. Birch and Hazel in the understorey provide cover for birds but can have low-hanging branches that may catch children in the eyes. Finally the tall Oaks and Ash in the canopy must be checked for dead hooked-up or hanging branches that may fall.