An Education In Nature At Hacton Primary School As They Transform Their Large Outdoor Woodland Space To Create a Forest School.

Hacton Primary School have made excellent use of their outdoor space with the Forest School, which encourages a child-led exploration of nature.

By Rebecca Fox, Trainee Reporter

It was decided by Hacton Primary School to transform their large outdoor woodland space to create a “Forest School”. The Forest school encourages a wide variety of activities such as den-building, tree climbing, fire-lighting and tool use. 

Liz Richards, who is the Assistant Headteacher and Head of the Forest School project, told The Havering Daily:  “We believe that by learning and making new discoveries outside, the children develop positive relationships with nature and have long-term, environmentally sustainable attitudes.”

The encouragement of students to interact with nature allows for a holistic approach to education at Hacton Primary School. The Forest School is a child-led environment with adults supporting where needed, which allows children to develop their confidence by initiating their own activities.

As well as tree-climbing and den-building, the children enjoy creative tasks such as making potions and wands using the leaves and twigs the woodland area has to offer. The Forest School also boasts a wildlife pond and a hedgehog hut, teaching the children to play peacefully alongside their wildlife friends.

The Forest School is open to students for six-week intervals, ending in a celebratory fire where the children enjoy a hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows. It is certainly obvious that the students have an incredibly fun-packed experience attending the Forest School.

It is excellent to see that Hacton Primary School has curated a learning experience that develops the enjoyment of outdoor play and the interaction with Havering’s wonderful wildlife!

Hopefully, this amazing work will inspire other educational facilities to follow in their footsteps.

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