Forest School Blog

T his morning Aspen Class enjoyed another busy Forest School session! We started by exploring the weather, using our cloud viewers to identify different cloud types and talking about wind direction, the weather we might expect and how this could affect our fire. On the walk down, there was lots of excited discussion about the activities the children hoped to do today. At the fire circle we checked in with our nature names — the children continue to amaze us with how well they remember each other’s names! We also learnt about hedgehogs following Hedgehog Awareness Week. The children shared lots of impressive facts before playing a fun fact or fiction game to decide whether statements about hedgehogs were true or false. Activities today included woodwork with bamboo, puppet shows using our Forest School friends, stone decorating, making paint from cornflour and chalk, building swings and learning knots to secure them safely in the woodland. We also enjoyed fire striking, toasted brioche ...

  Today Apple Class enjoyed another fantastic Forest School session!   We started the morning with a predator and prey game which led to lots of brilliant conversations about where different animals sit within the food chain and how nature is connected. Next, we tried a sit spot activity. The children took their sit mats to their favourite places around the site and practised being mindful by sitting still, staying silent and focusing carefully on the sounds they could hear around them. It was lovely to see everyone slowing down and really noticing nature. During activity time, bamboo creations were incredibly popular, alongside den building and of course the continuing pom-pom craze! The children also enjoyed checking the wildlife camera footage to see what animals had visited our Forest School site recently. To finish the session, we cooked our very first snack on the fire. The children toasted bread and even made popcorn over the flames, which was very exciting! 

Today Apple Class enjoyed another exciting Forest School session! As we made our way down to the site, each child was given a picture of an animal or insect. The children had to decide whether they were a predator or prey and think carefully about who they might hunt and who they might need to hide from. Once we gathered around the fire circle, we shared our animals and talked about where different creatures sit within the food chain. We discussed animals such as spiders, barn owls, herons and sparrowhawks and explored how nature is connected. We then got busy learning some new knots. Everyone was given a piece of rope and had a go at tying a stopper knot as well as learning how to make a reef knot. The children showed fantastic perseverance and teamwork while practising their new skills. There were lots of exciting activities taking place around the site. Some children chose to make nature presses using cardboard, paper, flowers and greenery to create their own beautiful presses. Othe...

  Aspen Class had a fantastic Forest School session.   The children were so excited to check our wildlife camera footage from the past week—and it didn’t disappoint! We spotted badgers, foxes, and a variety of birds visiting our pond  One thoughtful child noticed that the pond had dried up after the recent lack of rain. Without hesitation, the group sprang into action—loading up the Forest School trolley with containers and heading back up to school to refill it. What a brilliant act of teamwork and care for our environment  And it seems their efforts really mattered… last night, our camera captured badger cubs visiting the pond five times for a drink! A wonderful reminder that even small actions can make a big difference  The rest of the session was just as busy. We enjoyed crafting, making wishing sticks and wind sticks, and then got busy cooking wild garlic pitta bread over the fire (followed, of course, by hot chocolate!). Den building was hugely popular as ...

There was high levels of excitement as we made our way down to the site—many of the children had never visited before, which made it even more special. On our journey, we began thinking about our nature names, as at Forest School we leave our classroom names behind. Sitting together around the fire circle, everyone shared their chosen name. We spent some time learning about the canopy, exploring the Forest School site, and discovering the wildlife that visits. To help us get familiar with our surroundings, the children went on a quick hunt to find key features of the site—everything from a den and pinecone to the swing, flag, wildlife camera, water source, and even a newly planted tree. Then it was time to get busy! Den building was incredibly popular, with children learning how to tie simple knots using withy ropes, carry sticks safely (especially when they were bigger than them!), and work together to create entrances, trenches, and even flag posts for their shelters. There were so m...

  A blustery but brilliant morning at Forest School for Aspen Class today! We began by noticing how the woodland has changed since our last visit — the blossom has now disappeared from the cherry trees, a sure sign the seasons are moving on. Around the fire circle, we checked in with our nature names before learning all about pollinators. Mrs. Sunderland used a bee made from pipe cleaners and breadsticks as “pollen” to show how bees transfer pollen from flower to flower while collecting nectar. The children then brought this learning to life in a lively Bees and Flowers game, exploring pollination through play.  After that, it was time for activities. The hammock was a favourite today — one child was so relaxed they nearly fell asleep! We used the bow saw to cut wood cookies and decorate them, while den building was as popular as ever. Wood chopping also drew lots of interest, with children taking on a challenge to see who could make the thinnest shavings. There was great focu...