| StorageSite | UCL Institute of Education |
| Description | Forest School, situated on the outskirts of the New Forest, was founded in 1929 by Cuthbert Rutter. Rutter, a teacher, was the nephew of Aubrey T. Westlake (son of the founder of the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry) who brought with him his experiences of teaching in London's East End. He believed, "It is in early infancy that…a man's few central tendencies take shape. The growing infant needs a 'knowledge' of loving acceptance." (An Image of Childhood Over Sixty Years). Consequently, The Forest School employed the technique of 'functional teaching' which Rutter described as 'finding the heart of the subject and giving the learner the key' (Flysheet 1, 1972).
By 1938 the School had relocated to Norfolk, but it was closed when the Army requisitioned the building in 1940. Following the war, the idea of a School run almost entirely by volunteers was dismissed by the Directors. Instead, it was decided that a summer holiday camp for children was the best way to continue the tradition and, in 1947, the first Forest School camp was held for 30 children.
This series contains material relating to the school before its closure and reincarnation as Forest School Camps, including recollections of the school by former pupils. Please also note that 'Early Days in the Forest School', a booklet about teaching experiences at the Forest School is catalogued as FSC/4/1. |