Forest Schools activities
Forest Schools originated in Denmark back in the 1980s, using the natural environment as classrooms for pre-school children. Its aim was to give children the opportunity to learn social, physical and educational skills at the same time as encouraging an appreciation and understanding of the natural world.
The idea was introduced into the UK eight years ago and has proved to be a benefit to all ages and types of learners, from pre-school children to disaffected young people.
At Leigh Woods, the Trust has used the concept of Forest Schools to provide experiential learning activities, often delivered through the Forest of Avon and their Wood Schools Programme. Over 200 children and young people have enjoyed these activities, from earth education activities to wood crafts.
The team at Leigh Woods has watched the children's self-confidence build, along with their enjoyment and understanding of the environment.
Guardianship
Guardianship schemes were originally designed to build up a close, mutually beneficial relationship between a school and their local National Trust site. There are now over 100 guardianship schools across the UK working with National Trust staff to develop active and imaginative programmes to bring the National Curriculum to life.
Leigh Woods has developed a Guardianship with Parson Street Primary, an inner city school which, though only three miles away, is in a starkly contrasting environment from the tranquillity and beauty of Leigh Woods.
The teachers and learning support assistants plan visits in conjunction with National Trust staff so that all the children in the school visit the woods once a year. They cover the broad spectrum of the primary curriculum as well as ensuring a variety of experiences for each year group.
Examples of work are recorded in a logbook, illustrating the children’s inspiration from the site and their thank you letters also show how they value the help and expertise of the staff at Leigh Woods.
We began our Guardianship two years ago and everyone involved is very keen to develop it. With the woods' ever-changing scenery, the children will experience something new as they move to the next year group and regular visits will give them a sense of responsibility in respecting and caring for their precious environment.
Many schools come independently to Leigh Woods and to enhance these visits at Key Stage 2, we’ve produced a learning resource, available for download from this site.
More case studies from the Bristol Community Involvement project:
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