A good start to the new term!

Just one post to cover the first week back.  It’s a bit of a long one.

I’m not sure what happens but each year when we come back after the Easter break the children seem to have grown loads. They’re not just taller but they seem a little bit older and more mature and confident and they blow my socks off a little bit more!

We’ve got a few little changes this term. Our taster sessions for classes are back this term. That means we will have lots more footfall in the woods once again. An important part of Forest School is about developing positive relationships with nature.  Thinking back to when we first started Forest School and we had to clear some of the area for us to use it, it is becoming really noticeable that we are beginning to have a negative impact on some of the environment.  We always talk about being mindful of what is growing and not trampling things, it’s part of our ethos of looking after ourselves, each other and the woods. It’s really difficult sometimes when you’re so busy playing and learning and things do get trodden on. We know and understand the importance having nettles, brambles and other plants in our environment and how if they are removed they will affect habitats and other living things in the woods.

With that in mind we’re being proactive and we’ve created some conservation areas which will help us to be more careful about where we play and walk. It’s already noticeable that this is having a positive impact on the things that are just starting to grow this year!  I have noticed it is also making children think about other areas in the woods that are left open. This is all really good news and especially as today is Earth Day!

I’ve extended the area we access for Forest School too.

I wondered if any of this might have a negative impact on how the children access Forest School. I think if this week is anything to go by the opposite is true. This week has been epic! The relationships between children have been brilliant. It has been so much fun, children are being kind and supportive of each other and they have been engaged through out. Everyone has said how proud and impressed they are with our children.

Here’s some pictures of what we have been doing this week.

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