Getting wild at Wootton Park School

Written by Joel Cooper and Natalie Green

2023 brings with it a range of new, exciting opportunities for learners at Wootton Park School. One of these being the creation of our on-site Forest School. Mrs Green, one of our EYFS teachers has been leading on the project and hopes it is going to be a transformative experience for many children.

“Forest School is something I am very passionate about and I cannot wait to roll it out within our Early Years provision. I am currently working towards my Level 3 Forest School qualification; the course has taught me so much about the benefits of outdoor play and the positive imprint it can have on learner wellbeing. Forest School develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. Sessions are child-led and play-based, providing opportunities for holistic growth, exploration and supported risk taking.

We were successful in applying for a small grant from Barclays which enabled us to develop our on-site forest area. 33 Barclays employees (some of whom were also parents) from the ‘Barclays in the Community Program’ came in over October half term to clear the area of weeds, level out the ground, create a mud kitchen and seating area out of pallets, build shelters, create a giant bug hotel and log pile story area. The day was also supported by several members of Primary staff. The day was a huge success, transforming the area into a useable space. Since then I have also added a hedgehog hibernation pod and extended the mud kitchen area. I will continue to develop the space, using the children’s interests as inspiration. I hope to add a sustainable gardening area to the site, where learners are able to grow their own fruit and veggies.

We are rolling out Forest School this year with Early Years starting in late February. Learners will be taken out in groups of 20 on Wednesday mornings with myself and a teaching assistant to support. We are very much looking forward to Welly Wednesdays! Learners will enjoy a hot chocolate whilst sat around the log circle and listen to a story. Examples of other opportunities include: building shelters, natural arts and crafts, bug hunting, mud kitchen role play, storytelling, supervised tool use, tree and wildlife identification, tree climbing, playing games.

I am so excited to embark on our WPS Forest School journey. I am looking forward to continuing to develop the area and watch the magic of forest school unfold for our Early Years learners!”

To learn more about Wootton Park School’s Forest School project, please feel free to contact the school at info@woottonparkschook.org.uk