Forest School Blog

This morning, Hazel Class wrapped up warmly and headed out for a Forest School session. We started by learning the Forest School rule: “Don’t pick, don’t lick, and watch your stick!” With high energy and enthusiasm, we set off, splashing through puddles and searching for signs of winter. We found plenty, including stunning ice crystals in the sandpit and on the mud kitchen! At the fire circle, we discussed fire circle safety, especially the importance of not crossing the circle. Then, we played a fun predator-and-prey matching card game, sparking great conversations about the scarcity of food in winter and how predators eat a variety of prey. We took the game up a notch with a giant predator-and-prey tag game on the field to keep warm. Hazel Class loved the “flying carpet” game, where teamwork and problem-solving were key. They also played Giants, Dwarfs, and Wizards, made an incredible camp for soft toys, and some even had a go at God’s Eye weaving. The hammock and swings were a big h...

Our Year 5 Hawthorn Class started the session with a mix of sunshine and clouds, so we got our cloud viewers out to identify the types of clouds drifting across the sky. It was the perfect way to kick off our walk down to the Forest School site. Once there, we talked about shelters—why they’re important for humans and animals alike. The children shared some fantastic ideas about how different types of animal homes suit their needs. We matched picture cards of animals and their habitats before the real fun began: nest-building! Armed with straws, sticks, moss, leaves, and twigs, the children set off to create nests for UK birds. They thought carefully about weather conditions, where to place their nests, and how to make them sturdy. Two girls even designed a portable mud-based nest, which we placed in a tree, while Oliver and Elliot made an impressive raven nest that we perched on top of the Christmas tree—fingers crossed for some feathery visitors! Some children also got creative ...

 Today Year 5’s Hawthorn Class wrapped up warm and ventured out to our Forest School site to explore the wonders of winter. Although the day started a little chilly, the bright sunshine made it perfect for discovering frozen leaves and icy treasures on the sandpit. Once at the Forest School site, we talked about some important fire safety rules and learnt the rule of “Don’t pick, don’t lick, and watch your stick! “ Then, we explored the world of predators and prey. Using picture cards, we matched predators to their prey and discussed what happens if there are too many predators or indeed not enough prey. We also learned how some animals overlap, being both predator and prey in different situations. To warm up, we played an exciting game of Predators and Prey Tag! Ten children played prey, trying to survive while collecting food and water cards, while five predators tried to catch them. It was a brilliant way to understand survival instincts and have fun.  Some of us got busy i...