Romp around Turn Mill

 Year 6 had the weather on their side for their trip down to Turn Mill. Being a morning session, they had some extra time to explore a little further and spend a little longer when they found something of interest. 

On the first stop, they were set a challenge to jump across a huge, expansive part of the brook (8 feet!😉) that some of the pupils further up the school had attempted on their visit to the setting. A couple of the pupils went headlong into the challenge after spending a while to muster up the courage for the initial take off. They flew through the air with both confidence and commitment, but if success was to be judged by dry feet and shoes it must be said that they both “came up short”. Neither of them were in the slightest bit perturbed by their predicament and we always stress to parents and carers that a change of clothes for these sessions will allow the pupils to experience whatever they come across, to the full. 

A couple of pupils wanted to practice using hand tools and I carry a small folding saw for just such occasions. After a full safety briefing they were watched carefully by myself as they attempted to saw through a small stick of windblown hazel. This is a great test of dexterity, fine motor skill and also patience as it takes a lot longer than they always think to see any progress. It is not only good to see them use tools with confidence and respect but also it is a nice boost to their self-esteem as they have the opportunity to use a tool independently, albeit under strict guidance. 

Forest School fun...

The Forest School sessions at the start of each week are looked forward to eagerly by Years 3 & 4. As the term progresses the pupils are adapting positively to both the setting and the provision, with new activities offered and some even suggested by the pupils. 

The hands-on activities are encouraging creative thinking and the pupils are encouraged to come together to offer solutions to problems that they encounter. 

We have had a couple of wonderful sessions where the pupils have been tasked with creating some messy, muddy hedgehogs and also some fabulously colourful stone and pebble monsters which ended up in quite a forceful expression of opinion by one of the pupils...  

“I don’t think we should be having googly eyes on our monsters because it’s not from outside” 

It is really encouraging to see Year 4 working together at times, sharing space and resources. There is still a long way to go at times with all the behavioural foundations that underpin tolerance, turn taking and recognition, but some of the sessions outside have been a revelation. 

As the photos show, the pupils are still revelling in some beautiful Autumn sunshine, but in the not-to-distant future the temperature will drop, the rain become more frequent, and the pupils will need to wrap up warm for their weekly dose of Forest school fun. 

Pushing your personal limits

 There are a wealth of opportunities when out and about at the many venues that the classes visit on their Outdoor Education sessions for the pupils to engage in some athletic and exciting activities.

Jumping, crawling, climbing and running, all sorts of physical activities are promoted and encouraged.

All the pupils are talked through the implications of their actions. What they are attempting; 

how it could go wrong; how exhilarating it is when you do something for the first time.

All of these things are constantly talked about and discussed as we work to get the pupils to assess their capabilities and manage the risk inherent when they try something dynamic.

National Trust outings

 Riversides utilises the amazing offer through the National Trust where for a small fee per annum, the school can take it's classes to any of the properties or parklands within the Three Counties.

There are around a dozen that are accessible to the pupils,working within the time and distance constraints of a school day. Below are the Year 5 group enjoying a sunny Autumn day at Croome Court.

There are two playgrounds. A structured, organised one and also a natural one (with the emphasis on 'Loose Parts' and inventive play).

The pupils also enjoyed a walk through the arboretum which is scattered with peaceful areas full of deck chairs offering a quiet place of contemplation.

And below are Year 10 enjoying another glorious autumn day in the sunshine at Croft Castle in Herefordshire.

There are expansive grounds and parkland around the stately house with a natural play area which has some impressive rope swings.

Here the group sit at an area reserved for storytelling. Surprisingly enough, for a class of big, exuberant personalities, sitting on the speakers chair was an awkward experience for a few of them.

After a walk around the outskirts, the class made their way inside to the formality and tradition of the home and church. There was much to see and discuss whilst walking around.

These visits offer a fabulous opportunity for the pupils to visit places that very often, they may not have the chance to see outside of school, creating interesting conversations on the settings, their relevance and how they are maintained for the public to access them.

 

Forest School progression

 As the new term got underway, there are new pupils and new interests to explore in the Riversides Forest School area. The plans to develop the area are moving forward (we have a poly tunnel now ready for the Spring) and there is always an excited buzz within the sessions outside.

This term, two of the school's youngest classes are participating in the sessions.

They bring with them bundles of energy, a hugely inquisitive nature and at times a wide range of emotions! There are a certain set of criteria that we are attempting to ingrain with our sessions. 

Below are the 6 principles of the Forest School association.

Referring this framework, we can work and guide the pupils to grow and develop within these six areas alongside all of the targets and goals we constantly pursue in these sessions.

Here are two examples of pupils using some of the same materials in a totally different way, displaying an independent and creative outlook.

Year 3 (above) using the stones alongside some mud to create a temporary wall/structure.

A year 4 pupil (above) using the same pebbles and rocks with a display of balance and fine motor skill, determined to create the tallest tower.

The approach to the Riversides Forest school sessions is adapted to accommodate the weather conditions and pupils disposition. We have a wide range of small, bite-sized activities to provide short, sharp engaging tasks to keep the pupils focused and interested.

But often, the area itself can bring many unplanned and fascinating diversions that grab the pupils attention immediately, in turn necessitating an instant change in topic and approach.

It is almost inevitable that if the pupil's eyes are caught by something crawling, scurrying or hanging on a web, they will be drawn in to investigate and observe.

A big part of these diversions is to instil a sense of wonderment, interest, but above all respect and empathy for all creatures no matter how big or small in the outdoor environment.

Fun & Games in Flagstaff Wood

The weather has been kind to classes as the new school year has started. 

Maybe not as hot as the scorching Summer holidays but nevertheless we have been able to get out and about without donning the waterproofs and wellies (Don't worry...it'll come soon enough).

A few of the classes have been up to Abberley Hills. They are comprised of eight hills that snake along forming a ridge. Abberley Hill itself (928ft) is a steep but rewarding climb, from which the pupils can see fantastic panoramic views of local countryside.

The Abberley Hill is one of 7 Geoparks in the United Kingdom, globally there are 50 Geoparks. They are driven by local organisations seeking to celebrate their geological heritage and achieve sustainable development through geotourism. All classes have to scale the steep, rooty path to the Trig point at the top of Flagstaff wood.

From there, they make there way another few hundred yards and they come across a fabulous area where some tall sweet chestnut trees were unfortunate enough to have been blown down by a howling North wind a couple of years ago.

It forms a fantastic natural obstacle course, where the classes can test there balance and agility.

And returning along the ridge as the session drew to an end, a fabulous spot for the infamous rope swing was debuted by the classes. We have a fair number of thrill seekers at Riversides!