KS2 Groups-Forest School:

Today in Forest School, the year 3 group had to identify the different trees we have in Forest School. They had to collect the leaves and identify them using the identification sheet. They also had to look out for other clues like blossom, the start of berries growing and also some of the old cones and nut shells that they found on the ground.
They were amazed at the amount of different types of trees that we have in our own little forest. Once they had identified them they got to enjoy playing amongst them. Their game of choice this week. Build a den to keep the troll catcher out!
After their usual group chat about what they have achieved this week, the year 4 and 5 group started their session by transporting more wood chipping to the Forest School area.
This is an important task as it means that we can construct paths and preserve areas of the Forest School that get a lot of use. It also gives the children the responsibility to look after this special area.
They then got to spend some free time in the Forest School area. This week some of the girls made some spinners. To do this they had to drill a hole into a circle of wood and then they had to learn to use a whittling knife to create a point on the spinning stick. The girls were a little apprehensive about using a woodcraft knife as they had not done it before but they were super proud of their result. ... See MoreSee Less

Year R -Forest School;
Another lovely morning for year R children to spend in Forest School.
This week the year R children had a visitor. Councillor Jackie Meade came in to help them plant some seeds in our raised bed garden. They planted radishes, carrots, onions, lettuce and pak choi. The children are now eagerly waiting for these to grow so they can pick and taste what they have grown.
This week in their classroom learning the children have been learning about minibeasts, so what better place to search for minibeasts that the Forest School. So armed with clipboards and magnifying glasses the children went in search of minibeasts. They found quite a variety and were fascinated to see what they could find under the logs and leaves. Some children also made the minibeasts they found out of mud and sticks.
For the rest of the session the children made up some great games, did some building and digging and enjoyed climbing and balancing.
A really busy session for the year R children. ... See MoreSee Less

Year 3- Forest School:
This week in Forest School, the children had a focus on listening and following instructions.
They started their sessions by playing some games on the field to focus on these important skills , that will also benefit them in the classroom. They had to work as a team to collect cones from around the field. Once they had mastered this they had the added complication that one of their team was blindfolded.
When in the Forest School area they had an extra challenge this week. They had to build a den for their team to keep the troll out. They had to work together to get the task finished and tested before they were able to spend time on thier own activities.
It was a really fun session enjoyed by both children and the adults.
Well done year 3 ... See MoreSee Less

Year 2 - Forest School:
What a great way for the year 2 children to spend a lovely spring afternoon but in Forest School
First they played some team building games on the field. This helps to build their communication skills and their ability to work well together both in Forest School but also in the classroom.
They spent time on their favourite activities in the Forest School area.
Some of the children continued their investigation into micro habitats by searching for the different places that minibeasts live. Others enjoyed the mud kitchen, mixing up different recipes, while some children made some decorations to hang up in the old shelter area.
All of the children had fun and made the most of their time in the Forest School. ... See MoreSee Less

Year 1-Forest School:
As part of their science topic, this week in Forest School the year 1 children spent time exploring and identifying the trees and flowers we have in the Forest School.
They were able to use an identifying sheet to identify some of the common plants and some new ones, including the strangely named cow parsley and also wild garlic.
They also found that we have a lot of different types of trees in the Forest School area, which have all now come into leaf. Some had blossom still on them and on some of the trees the children could see the berries beginning to form.
We are very lucky to have so many different trees in our Forest School area.
The children also had fun playing in the Forest school and particularly enjoyed the new game of cooking up recipes in the new mud kitchen. ... See MoreSee Less

KS 2 -Forest School groups
This week in Forest School the year 3 group had a treat. Mrs Judd bought them in some marshmallows to toast.
They learnt about the need for tinder and kindling to make a small fire and how to use the fire striker . Once they had a fire going they had just enough time to toast a marshmallow and put it between a biscuit for a sticky s'more!
The year 4 and 5 group were again helping to take responsibility for the Forest School environment. They planted some sunflower seeds and helped to fill the new planters around the old polytunnel. These are being planted with honey suckle which we hope will trail over the arches. We are looking forward to smelling the lovely honeysuckle flowers.
Once they had finished their jobs, they got to enjoy some time in Forest School, creating dens, exploring the soil and making some amazingly creative dinners. Definitely some budding master chefs in the group! ... See MoreSee Less

Earth Day 2024:
Over the last couple of weeks Key Stage 1 and the Global Councillors have been planting seeds outside in the planters and in recycled plastic egg boxes inside, as part of their work for World Earth Day. The first sunflower seeds are now sprouting.
We have been sharing our work with partner schools in Moldova and India who have also been working creatively for Earth Day which is part of Sustainable Development Goal 13, Climate Action.
In addition, the Global Councillors have created a collage of the world and written letters to 'Dear Earth, saying what they like most about the Earth with some beautiful illustrations, which have ranged from Jellyfish to Sunrises.
DAV Public School, BRS Nagar, Ludhiana ... See MoreSee Less

PTFA-Classroom Gifts:
Recently, the PTFA gifted each class £50 to buy items for their classroom. Last week, the classes received their gifts, the children were so excited to open them.
A huge thank you to the PFTA for all of their hard work and to you for helping us to raise funds to support the children. ... See MoreSee Less

Year R -Forest School:
Today in Forest School the year R children were very lucky with the weather. It was cold and bright but the rain that was forecast stayed away!.
They had a lovely session, and it was a delight to see them engaging in a whole range of different activities.
Their creativity and thirst to explore is incredible.
Today a group of the children decided to build a long car track to run their cars down. They could not get it long enough so they found a ready made ramp and laid the gutter tracks down the path so they could make it a lot longer.
Some of the children helped Mrs Judd to fill up the new planters with soil and then plant some Honeysuckle plants. We look forward to smelling them when they flower.
A great treat was the new slack line put up by Mr Friend and Mr Reeve. They children were all eager to have a go. It was not easy as it was very wobbly but it is great to improve their gross motor and balancing skills.
A lively and fun session, well done Year R ... See MoreSee Less

Year 2 -Forest School:
Well, it was a lovely morning for the year 2 Forest School on Monday. While some of the children were busy planting seeds the rest of the children were enjoying the lovely weather in the Forest School area.
They were busy , climbing, building, digging and playing some active games. Some children were enjoying playing with the mud kitchen, while others were practising their tool skills using a hammer to bang some nails into a piece of wood that they then threaded some string around. All good for developing fine motor control.
To support their science work the children were also looking at the micro habitats within our Forest School. They explored under logs and found that there was a whole host of minibeasts living under the logs including woodlouse and millipedes ... See MoreSee Less

Year 2 - Seed Planting:
This week as part of their Forest School session the year 2 were lucky to have Councillor Jackie Meade join their session.
She helped them to get our raised bed planters started for this season,
They first had to dig over the beds to get them ready for the seeds. They then planted radishes and peas, as well as some sweet peas to attract the pollinating bees to the garden.
The children are all looking forward to eating the radishes and peas, which grow really quickly
We will keep you updated on how things are getting along. ... See MoreSee Less