Professional Perspectives and Practices of UK Forest School Programmes: A National Survey

We are inviting you to take part in a research study. Before you decide, it is important that you know why we are doing the study and what is involved. Please read the following information carefully.

Forest school has been described as the ‘gold standard for outdoor learning’ (Department of Education and Skills, 2006). Research exploring the impact of Forest School for non-autistic children and young people has reported a wide range of perceived benefits including improved social and communication skills, increased mental wellbeing and emotional resilience, increased physical dexterity, reduced behavioural incidences and an increase in academic engagement and attendance. However, very little research has investigated autistic children and young peoples’ Forest School experiences. This online national survey has been developed as part of this students PhD studies, it’s aim is to explore Forest School professional’s perspectives and practices when delivering Forest School programmes for autistic & non-autistic learners.

The results of this national survey will help direct the development of our future research which aims to identify and problem-solve common barriers autistic children and young people may face at Forest School, and to develop practical guidance for best practice on planning & delivering inclusive Forest School programmes. We will be working closely with an Autistic Learners at Forest School Advisory Board that includes people with lived experience of autism, Forest School practitioners who run sessions for autistic learners, a Forest School Association representative and academics from two universities. This surveys emphasis is on differences not deficits between autistic and non-autistic learners, all reported differences will be used to inform future professional practice to help make Forest School programmes more inclusive for autistic learners.

You are being invited to take part in this study because you are a Forest School practitioner, UK resident of any gender, 18+ years old.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept surveys for anyone who does not identify as a Forest School practitioner, is under 18 years old, and/or a non-UK resident.

This is a national survey that has been distributed online throughout the UK.

Participation is completely voluntary. You should only take part if you want to and choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in anyway. If you decide to take part, you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason by simply closing your internet browser. This would not affect your legal rights.

After reading this information sheet if you have any questions, please contact a member of the research team who will be happy to answer them (contact details provided below).

Before you start this online survey, you will be asked to give consent electronically via tick box declarations. After giving anonymous informed consent you will be automatically directed to the start of the survey which will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

                                                                                                

This survey involves answering basic demographic questions such as your age, gender, occupation and non-identifiable questions about your Forest School site (e.g., site on/off school grounds, area of the UK). You will be asked about your interactions with, and your perceptions of your autistic and non-autistic learners during Forest School sessions. You will also be asked about any adjustments you commonly make to Forest School programmes that accommodate autistic children and young people's needs. There is no reference to subjects of a sensitive nature in this survey.

At the end of this survey, you will be directed to a debrief sheet which will provide the researchers contact details if you have any queries or concerns.

You will not be paid to participate in the study.

There are no direct benefits for taking part in this study, however your contribution will help direct the development of our future research that aims to identify and problem-solve common barriers autistic children and young people may face at Forest School, and to develop practical guidance for best practice on planning & delivering inclusive Forest School programmes.

The information we collect will be handled in confidence. No one will know you have taken part, as your responses are anonymous.

The data obtained from the study will be stored securely on the university OneDrive in password protected files. Only the researchers will have access to it. The data from this study may be put in an Open Access repository for other researchers to use in future research.

As you have completed the study anonymously it will not be possible to remove the data provided, as we will not be able to identify you in any way. If you choose not to take part in this survey, simply close your internet browser.

The results of this research will be published online in a peer reviewed journal, they will also be the basis of a PhD thesis and will be discussed in a conference presentation.

This research is being organised by Lauren Bourn, Niko Kargas, Kyla Pennington and Lynn Pickerell at the University of Lincoln.

All research conducted by the University of Lincoln is looked at by an independent group of people, called a Research Ethics Committee, to protect your interests. This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by a University of Lincoln Research Ethics Committee [2023_13401].

It is very unlikely that this study would cause you any harm. If you have a concern or a complaint about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to the researchers who will do their best to answer your questions.  The researchers contact details are given at the end of this information sheet.

If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can make a formal complaint through the University complaints procedure or by contacting ethics@lincoln.ac.uk.

PhD Student

Associate Professor- School of Psychology        

                 

KPennington@lincoln.ac.uk 

Senior Lecturer- School of Psychology

LPickerell@lincoln.ac.uk

Lecturer- School of Psychology