Forging ahead in Forest School

 Primary 1 are really beginning to blossom during their Monday afternoon Forest school sessions.

Staff have worked hard to provide a wide range of creative and engaging activities for a the pupils and a big effort has been made to promote collaboration and tolerance when they are working and learning in the Forest School area. 

This week, there were a few tentative hands dipping into the Mud Kitchen area. But by the end of the session, the gloves were off (so to speak) and the pupils were really embracing the messy looseness of the topic!

Another activity staged at the far end of the Forest School was shelter building. The pupils were given a check list of materials and with this random assortment they were tasked with constructing a shelter which would fend off the worst of the elements. A test was made at the completion of their effort where a hosepipe was trained briefly on the shelter with them inside.

This elicited quite an excitable response from all involved.

 

Dowles Brook...fun and games

 The tail end of June has become increasingly hot and humid.

As a result, the class groups are more than happy to venture anywhere that there is a chance of  splashing around in some water. It offers an opportunity to revisit the guidelines on water safety - being aware of temperature, slippery surfaces, unstable riverbanks, water currents and the importance of supervision by adults and never venturing out alone.

The small stream near the outskirts of Bewdley has an abundance of wildlife (notably kingfishers, crayfish and even an experimental reintroduction of a colony of beavers)!

The classes can begin there adventure journeying along a disused section of the old Tenbury to Bewdley railway. From there they take a right along a steep, uneven path (a good test of agility for some) which dives down to Knowles Mill. This has been owned by the National Trust since 1938 and is undergoing some renovation work. As it open to view, the pupils are fascinated by all the old mechanics and interior of the building.

After a short, inquisitive stay at the Mill, the classes cross the Brook on a bridge and head along a dirt track back towards the car park. The walk is interrupted often by detours down to shallow parts of the brook where the pupils wade, skim stones and build pebble towers.

Earlier in the week, whilst we were in this little alcove alongside the brook, a suitable branch was spotted for the rope swing. This was duly set up, but as the picture below shows, the initial launch was a little low!

With a few small adjustments made, the pupils were able to experience the exhilaration of a graceful arc out over the water (some of the more adventurous even dropping an arm to skim a hand across the water).  

This venue, nestled in a valley on the outskirts of Bewdley, encapsulates everything that is positive about Riversides outdoor provision. 

The history of the area, the solitude of the setting, the abundance of wildlife and also the chance to offer a little excitement to some of the more adventurous makes it a hugely popular destination for all classes.

Magic on our doorstep

 It is always a surprise to many members of staff that we don't have more pupils who appreciate how lucky they are to be so close to the Malvern Hills. As a place that encourages anyone to ramble, scramble, run or ride across its length, emphasis is placed on the accessibility and freedom that it can offer.

Below are a few images from some of the classes who have experienced all it has to offer. Quiet contemplation, group challenges, wild and windy weather and ultimately, the feeling of exhilaration and achievement when they reach the summit of its many peaks

 

Forest School

 Monday afternoons are always exciting times for Primary 1 as they are offered a raft of different activities in Forest School. They could be scavenger hunters looking for bugs and creepy crawlies. They could build  and create different environments in the sand pit. Or they could practice their knot tying skills in a variety of situations.

Above, a couple of the pupils work together, moving around the area trying to discover all the different environments and habitats that various insects and invertebrates call home. They have a tick sheet and work hard to find as many of the highlighted creatures, pitting themselves against the other groups in the class.

The group here are creating an environment in the sand pit.

They use a plethora of different objects and materials and can become really imaginative with their creations. One of them fashions the sand into a pyramid, which starts a conversation about Egypt,the weather and even construction techniques that may have been used.

As the session winds down, the pupils all enjoy a turn on the rope swing before last break.

 

Off-roading

 The destination for Primary 3 this week was a Nature Reserve at Alfrick called "The Knapp and Papermill". This is a peaceful walk through wild meadows along a little stream called Leigh Brook.

Eventually the trail winds its way up through some woodland to the top of a bank.

The peacefulness of the area is astonishing (until our class walks through!!) and the feeling of remoteness is only exacerbated by the darkness of the woodland and complete lack of traffic noise.

Many of the old drover tracks and rides in the woodland are criss-crossed by wind-blown tree trunks and these are a great way of testing the pupils balance and courage. There is always a number of the class who are keen to test their mettle.

On the return leg to the bus, the class were faced with some pretty challenging terrain and gradient.

Some of this is a little more of an issue for some of our pupils, but with a little encouragement and guidance, the psychological hurdles that they can overcome are considerable.

This in turn, creates a reliable mental platform that they can return to when faced with similar challenges in the future.

Natural phenomenon

Year 7 ventured just out of town towards Bransford where there is a rural shop and a network of trails which run along an old stretch of the Bromyard railway.

The site is surprisingly full of some fascinating natural wonders only a short drive from Worcester city.

After walking along the trails, we were treated to an old summer sound which is becoming more and more scarce.

The sound of the cuckoo was something that many of the pupils (and some of the staff) had never heard previously. In fact, the birdsong in the area was overwhelming. We counted double figures on the Merlin Birdsong identification app!

The class made their way down to the bank alongside the River Teme where they were greeted by an amazing sight. The caterpillar of the Ermine Moth spins a vast carpet of silk which can completely cover the willow tree whose leaves they feast on. This is a protective barrier against birds and other predators. Many of the class found it fascinating...

...some just wanted to skim stones.

These are the kinds of experiences that open their eyes to all the wonder and obscurity in the natural world...hopefully the fascination stays with them all in the years to come.