Ep 57 - Playwork Principles & FSA Principles

In this reflective, wind-ruffled episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Gemma huddle round hot chocolate under a parachute canopy and dive deep into the meeting point between playwork and Forest School. From the struggle to find credible playwork training to the thorny online debates about who “owns” the term play, they unpack the eight Playwork Principles one by one, comparing them with Forest School’s six core principles. Along the way they question what truly counts as “free” play, how adults can avoid adulterating children’s impulses, and why CPD and professional humility matter more than fancy pirate-ship structures. Listeners are encouraged to seek local playwork forums, champion child-created spaces, and keep online criticism constructive. The conversation also looks ahead to upcoming FSA director elections, urging practitioners to vote and stay engaged with their professional community. Ultimately, the hosts remind us that embracing both Forest School and playwork perspectives can enrich practice—provided we keep risk, respect and reflection in balance. ⏱ Chapter Timings 00:00 – Recording outside: cobwebs, hot chocolate & “only” 30 mph winds 02:03 – Why playwork? Defining the concept and its pull for Forest School leaders 03:24 – The hunt for real playwork training and the politics of shrinking provision 04:51 – Playwork tribalism, adventure playground heritage & Forest School survival instinct 05:47 – Social-media bust-up: Forest School “parasite” accusations and what they reveal 07:31 – Finding local play forums, networks and genuine community support 09:43 – Side-by-side: comparing Playwork Principles with Forest School principles 13:04 – “Freely chosen, personally driven”: debating what counts as true play 56:00 – Balancing adult intervention, risk and the environment—trees vs. tyres 1:01:08 – FSA director elections: why your vote (and continued CPD) matters 🌲 Keywords: playwork principles, Forest School principles, free play, adulteration, CPD, adventure playgrounds, risk-benefit, online discourse, child-created spaces, practitioner reflection 🔖 Hashtags: #ForestSchool #Playwork #OutdoorLearning #ChildLedPlay #ReflectivePractice #CPD #AdventurePlaygrounds #RiskBenefit #ProfessionalCommunity #FSA 🌐 More Episodes & Support: Listen to more and access resources at www.theforestschoolpodcast.com Support the show and join the community at www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast Questions, feedback, collaboration: [email protected]