Children at Byron Wood Primary School are taking part in an innovative new programme which gets them out of class and experiencing their natural surroundings.
The school has just begun to include ‘Forest School’ in its curriculum. The children work in a natural environment; exploring the area and becoming familiar with the woodland, before taking part in a range of activities.
All of the children in Year 6 have had lessons in the forest. They have learnt about the variety of species found in the local woodlands, built mini-shelters and made artworks with natural materials, including sculpting with mud and weaving their own Christmas wreaths!
The next stage will be for every child in the school to have some lessons in the forest, seeing how the environment changes through the seasons.
The school has invested in the project to ensure that it is successful. Mr Surridge, one of the Assistant Headteachers, is a qualified ‘Forest School’ practitioner.
“So many of our children do not have the chance to experience the world around them and understand their natural environment the programme gives them that opportunity”
says Mr Surridge.