Forest School progress...

 The Forest School area has been slowly transforming into an area with structure, purpose                              and order (but intentionally not too rigid!!) There was a big push last Summer when staff had a gardening day, moving around some of the fixtures, brainstorming ideas and since then, with the help of loads of input and enthusiasm from the pupils, things are really beginning to take shape.

As you can see from these two shots of the poly tunnel interior, things are constantly evolving;            the pupils commented on the uneven floor and as there was a big pile of reclaimed bricks just stacked up that we had salvaged, a few days later we had a new and improved area for the Forest school classes to work.

We have constructed some compost bins from materials donated/salvaged and also utilised some existing things in creative ways to maintain some order around the area.

The younger pupils in our Forest School sessions are fully embracing this magical time of year when everything starts to burst into life after the tediously long and wet Winter everyone has had to endure.

And outside the poly tunnel, the first warm rays of sunshine are encouraging everything to emerge...

...the willow dome is on its way!

 

A wild day out in Shropshire

 We were greeted by a howling wind last Friday, so what better way to increase the feeling of exposure than venturing up to one of the highest points in Shropshire.

Titterstone Clee Hill at 1749ft,  is one of Shropshire’s most striking landmarks, rising sharply above the surrounding countryside and offering expansive 360‑degree views across the Midlands and into Wales. Its summit is a dramatic mix of ancient archaeology, rugged geology, and industrial remnants, making it a uniquely atmospheric place to explore.

There is an Air traffic control facility near the summit and part of the installation includes a 'randome' (which looks like a very big golf ball!) The group walked to the trig point at the summit, then down along the side of the big white globe.

It was decided by staff that the summit was too exposed to get the parachute out. So when down by the bus on a slightly (but not much) sheltered side, we pulled it out the ruck sack to give the pupils an idea of the forces involved.

We started with a full squad around the circumference and slowly told the pupils to dip in and out, to increase the force and effort involved. 

It was evident that this little exercise was a real eye-opener for all of the pupils involved, to experience first hand the power of the elements.

Turn Mill brook jump challenge

 Tuesday afternoon led Year 6 to venture a few miles up the A449 to the walk at Turn Mill. 

After walking alongside a couple of fields the path crosses over a track leading to some fishing pools just outside Ombersley village. The overflow from these pools forms a small stream that winds a half a mile down towards the River Severn.

The stream is spanned by a fallen tree and alongside it is a natural ramp which has proved a little elusive to some of the pupils. They have been working up the courage to jump the gap for months now and the challenge was set after their tutor jumped it a couple of times, so they could see it was achievable.

There was some support, encouragement, goading and laughter which eventually led to four of the class sailing through air, across the stream, time and again.

I told the pupils if they felt confident that they could do it.....

                                         Don't think about how bad it could be if it goes wrong...                                        but think how great you'll feel when it goes right!

Friday high jinks with 10/11

 Numbers allowed the top two years to combine the other Friday and the collective made their way to the shoulder of hills between the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Beacons.

After parking the bus, the class were tested immediately by being tasked with straight lining up through the woodland to the Quarry entrance.

Black Hill has a fabulous old quarry which is backed by some really steep slopes covered with loose rock and scree. The pupils were given a quick recap on safety when scrambling and then off they clambered (some with more success than others).

They were all to a man blown away by the vista when they were able to compose themselves to face outwards. it was a glorious, clear day and the view reached across the Severn plain all the way to Broadway and beyond.

The journey back down was markedly quicker for some of the class...

...and a quick stone was placed on the cairn at the quarry floor.

After another bushwhack in a straight line through the undergrowth back to the bus, we headed down to the common to challenge the pupils to face off against each other.

The premise was simple; a ton bag and two hazel poles for each team.

A member of staff in the bag.

Poles through the bag loops.

A person at each end.

Lift...

...and race.

It even inspired some of the more physically adept pupils to have a try on their own...impressive!

What a difference

 Two classes were taken for a walk over the last few days.Up to the top of the British Camp on the Malvern Hills and down over towards Hangman's Hill. Overlooking the Eastnor obelisk from Hangman's Hill is the curious site of Clutter's Cave. It has traditionally been thought of as a medieval hermit's cave, but no mention of it can be found before the mid-19th century, and it may have been constructed as a 'grotto' associated with the Eastnor estate.

Their experiences couldn't have been more different!

Whilst Year 6 were greeted with bright blue skies and a gorgeous Spring morning which offered an exhilarating view both East and West...

Year 5, only a few days later, were struggling to see more than 20 metres ahead of them at times (leading to re-tracing our steps for a while on the return leg after losing the path...a good, first hand learning opportunity for the group.

The cave itself was polarising.Greeted with both awe or indifference by the pupils of both group...which was genuinely funny to the others in the class.

It was good to offer the question out to the pupils about how they think the cave came about. There were many creative suggestions;

Meteor strike,

Giant,

Big animal

or a tramp's toilet!

Big Day Out to the Doward

Once a far more industrial site, this small and ancient nature reserve is set within the Doward landscape near Symonds Yat. A footpath runs between the canopy of woodland, from the car park leading to King Arthur’s Cave. 

Encouraging green fingers in the Forest School

There has been a big push over the last few weeks to catch the start of Springtime growing season, with the intention of really trying to open the eyes of the pupils to what the possibilities are when you grow and cultivate flowers and vegetables. 

The garden will really come into its own this spring, transforming our forest school space into a lively, colourful corner of growth and discovery.

After the quiet of winter, the first buds of leaf and blossom are appearing on trees and plants, just as the children returned with fresh curiosity, giving them a front‑row seat to the season’s changes. 

We have planted a couple of apple trees by the end of the poly tunnel which will hopefully reward the pupils with a tasty treat come late Autumn. Hopefully the mix of wild and cultivated planting will encourage more wildlife too—bees drifting on the breeze, birds investigating new hiding spots, and the occasional ladybird becoming an unexpected teaching moment. We also have regular visits at night time by a fox, who has dug a little channel under the front fence leading into the Forest School area.

What’s been most rewarding is how the garden has become a natural extension of the children’s learning. They’ve taken real ownership of watering, weeding, and checking to see what is changing and emerging, and you can see their confidence grow alongside the plants. 

Spring has given them a chance to explore textures, scents, and colours in a hands‑on way that only an outdoor classroom can offer (they were really struggling with a particularly smelly bag of compost in the poly tunnel)! The garden’s success isn’t just in how well it’s growing, but in how it’s helping the children connect with nature and feel proud of the space they’ve helped bring to life.