Heatherlands Primary School
Enjoying Learning Together
Forest School
Heatherlands Forest School Handbook
Yr2 Forest School
The official opening of 'The Burrow', a new outside learning area for Forest Schools.
Early Years enjoying Forest School
Year 6 Forest School Day
Year 2 have really enjoyed their Forest School sessions so far. Here are a few pictures of half of Starfish class during their morning session!
Year 2 had a fantastic Forest School Friday last week and are looking forward to the next one! We all make sure we were wrapped up well against the cold and the wind but that didn't stop us. We did a number of activities such as den building, weaving, natural art, orienteering and lots of outside games. Thank you to all the grown ups who joined in and helped us.
Coral Class spent time in the garden on Forest Schools Day. We learned about the damage litter can do to wildlife and went on a litter pick during which we observed some of the wildlife that lives in our garden. We also learned about composting and then weeded the beds and planted some onion and garlic bulbs.
We were recently successful in gaining a grant from ‘Learning through Landscapes’ to purchase additional outdoor learning equipment. The grant was for £500 worth of equipment and included 2 hours of training. This training took place last Thursday (10th October) and involved a selection of teachers and teaching assistants and the forest school rangers from Year 5 and 6. We spent the time outside on the nature trail learning more about the ways we can learn outside and asked the children to share with us the activities they have enjoyed the most, or would like to try. They were really keen to share their ideas and absolutely loved being outside measuring how tall a tree is by looking through their legs, or aging a tree using their hand span measurements. We also got to try out some of the equipment we have received and managed to make forest school badges using palm drills and wood circles.
It was a really enjoyable morning and the children are looking forward to supporting on forest school Fridays as well as to their own opportunities to learn outside.
Yr4 Forest School
Yr3 Forest School
For our final Forest School session, a very big challenge was completed. An enormous 'lucky charm' was made, with some help, by Romeo. Let's hope it brings lots of luck!
Year 6 Forest School
Year4 Forest School
Year5 Forest School
Year 3 Forest School
Year1 Forest School
Heatherlands Primary School Forest Schools Overview
Year 1 got to do some Forest School activities, including den building, forest art, hide and seek and toasting marshmallows on the fire. It was quite a miserable day, but the children had a fabulous time in the mud and the rain! Well done to all the parents for providing waterproofs and wellies, and to Miss Smith for teaching the children. We look forward to our next outdoor adventure.
At Heatherlands, we have fantastic grounds all around our school building, which we are very keen to make use of!
Children had the opportunity to go out into the woodland area with their class teachers. Despite the pouring rain for one class, and the damp and muddy conditions for the rest, the classes all thoroughly enjoyed their time out of doors. They didn't let the weather stop them working as teams to design and build dens, and everyone got the chance to toast a marshmallow on a real fire! The children learnt how to position themselves safely around the fire, and learnt a dance with actions to keep themselves warm.
Then, our youngest children, spent the morning out on the nature trail working with their class teachers, Mrs Lloyd-Christie and Miss Smith alongside School Direct trainee teachers. The aim was to introduce the children and trainee teachers to some simple Forest School activities that the children could enjoy and to spread the message of the Forest School ethos.
Children had the opportunity to go out into the woodland area with their class teachers. Despite the pouring rain for one class, and the damp and muddy conditions for the rest, the classes all thoroughly enjoyed their time out of doors. They didn't let the weather stop them working as teams to design and build dens, and everyone got the chance to toast a marshmallow on a real fire! The children learnt how to position themselves safely around the fire, and learnt a dance with actions to keep themselves warm.
Then, our youngest children, spent the morning out on the nature trail working with their class teachers, Mrs Lloyd-Christie and Miss Smith alongside School Direct trainee teachers. The aim was to introduce the children and trainee teachers to some simple Forest School activities that the children could enjoy and to spread the message of the Forest School ethos.
Here is a link to the Forest School Association webpage which will give more information on the ethos behind the initiative.
http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/
