The arrangement
Talk with your school about the day and term you are proposing, and ask how they would like the arrangement considered.
Taking a day out of school
Let’s talk to your school.
Almost every family arrives at this question early: how does a regular day at nature school fit alongside the rest of their child’s education? The short answer is that Ōhinemahuta Nature School is designed to complement school, not replace it. A day spent learning outdoors can give children space to reset, build confidence, develop practical skills and return to the classroom rested, engaged and ready to learn.
The conversation, in plain words
A day here.
Part of a bigger education.
Forest School has been part of the New Zealand education landscape for around a decade, alongside other one-day learning programmes such as outdoor education, STEAM and gifted education. It sits within the wider idea that children can learn in different places, with different people and through different experiences.
Under section 53 of the Education and Training Act 2020, a school board may authorise students to undertake courses of education, work experience or visits outside the school premises. When authorised, students are treated as attending school while undertaking that education.
The way this is approached can vary from school to school and region to region. We encourage families to have an open kōrero with their school and ask the Board to consider the educational value of the programme and the provisions available for off-site education.
The benefits come back to school, too.
A day at Ōhinemahuta is not a day away from learning. Children are reading maps, measuring shelters, solving problems, working with others, practising practical skills and making decisions for themselves. Just as importantly, time outdoors can give children a chance to move, reset and reconnect. We see the benefits when children return to school with renewed energy, confidence and readiness to learn — and those benefits can flow on to their classmates, teachers and whānau.
Three things to agree
The supporting information
We can provide the information your school needs to understand the programme, including our learning approach, risk management, health and safety, child protection, complaints process, insurance and staffing.
The attendance record
Attendance arrangements are a matter for the individual school and its Board. Parents are responsible for informing their school and discussing the proposed arrangement with them. Practices differ between schools, so it is worth having this conversation early and asking your school to consider whether the programme can be authorised as off-site education.
If your school is unsure
You can still advocate for your child.
Parents know their children best and have the right to make choices about the learning experiences they believe are right for them. If your school is hesitant about a regular nature school day, we encourage you to ask questions, share the benefits you see for your child and advocate for the opportunity. The Ministry sets the national framework, but decisions about individual off-site education arrangements sit with the school and its Board. We are very happy to speak directly with schools, answer questions and provide whatever information they need to understand the programme. Some families choose to attend Ōhinemahuta Nature School even when their school does not agree to recognise the day as school attendance. In these circumstances, the school may record the day differently from the family’s preference. We believe that should not prevent a family from choosing the learning environment they believe is best for their individual child.
Information for your principal
A useful conversation starts with clear information.
We have information ready to help your school understand what happens at Ōhinemahuta and how it supports your child’s wider education.
01 · Start the conversation
The introduction to your school
A clear explanation of the programme, your proposed session day and the information you would like the school to consider.
- Your child’s name
- Year level
- Proposed day
- Term dates
- Questions about the school’s process
The Principal Pack
The programme’s educational purpose and care arrangements, brought together.
- Learning and programme overview
- Risk assessments and health & safety
- Child protection and complaints policies
- Insurance and staffing information
- Any agreement requested by the school
What learning looks like here
Maps and stories. Measuring a shelter. Comparing habitats. Practical examples of literacy, maths and science, with activities adapted for different ages.
Explore the learningThe questions underneath
You don’t have to work it out alone.
Tell us where the conversation has got to. We can help explain the programme, talk directly with your school if useful, and provide the information they need to understand what we do.
Talk with the teamCan you guarantee the school will agree?
We can’t speak for an individual school or Board, and approaches vary. We can provide the information your school needs to understand the programme and are happy to talk with them directly. Parents can also advocate for their child and ask their school to consider the educational value of attending Ōhinemahuta Nature School and the options available for off-site education.
Will my child miss important learning?
We don’t believe a day at Ōhinemahuta Nature School means missing out on learning. It offers a different kind of learning that complements your child’s wider education, with literacy, numeracy, science, practical skills, creativity and social learning woven throughout the day. Children also benefit from time outdoors, movement, challenge and connection. Many return to school feeling rested, confident and ready to learn.
Do you teach reading and maths?
Literacy and numeracy are part of everyday learning at Ōhinemahuta Nature School. Children might read a map, write a story, measure a shelter, count materials, estimate quantities or solve a practical problem. We don’t aim to replicate classroom teaching or replace your child’s wider education. Instead, we give children opportunities to use and develop these skills in meaningful, hands-on ways.
What if we learn at home?
Home-educating whānau are very welcome. Get in touch to talk about your child’s interests, age and stage, and how they might fit within our regular groups and weekly programme. We’re happy to kōrero about what your child needs and how Ōhinemahuta could complement your home learning.
Do we need the school’s permission?
If you would like the day to be recognised as school attendance, you’ll need to talk with your child’s school and ask them to consider the appropriate arrangement. Section 53 of the Education and Training Act 2020 allows a school Board to authorise students to undertake education away from school premises. However, a family can still choose for their child to attend Ōhinemahuta Nature School. If the school does not agree to recognise the day as school attendance, the school will decide how the absence is recorded.
Who makes the decision?
The decision about whether a particular off-site education arrangement is authorised sits with the school and its Board. The Ministry provides the national education and attendance framework, but does not make this individual decision for schools. If your school has questions about Ōhinemahuta Nature School, we’re happy to speak with them directly and provide the information they need.
What if my school says no?
You can still choose to send your child to Ōhinemahuta Nature School. Families make choices every day about the learning experiences, activities and environments that are right for their children. We encourage you to keep the conversation open, ask questions and advocate for what you believe is best for your child. We’re also happy to speak with the school and help provide any information they need.