Page 25 - The Badger - Issue 8

THE BADGER Celebrating 125 Years of The Downs
Forest School
The children in Pre-Prep and Years Three and Four have enjoyed a wonderful year of Forest School in the woodland setting on Brockhill Road, as part of the curriculum.
They have visited the site every week, learning about the woodland and its flora and fauna throughout the changing seasons. The younger
children have made homes and feeders for the wildlife, built dams and bridges, used small tools for crafting and cooked popcorn, pancakes, fruit and s’mores over the campfire.
The older children have helped to look after their site, spreading bark chippings in Base Camp to reduce the impact of flood water. Using large tools, they have rebuilt dead hedges, creating boundaries and wildlife homes. The willow whips, which the children planted
last year, have grown and the children have whittled pegs, using mallets to install a carpet floor, covering it in bark chippings to create a comfortable ‘Wigloo’ den to play in. They designed their own games, making painted stones, and a stage which they have installed and are using for imaginative role play.
The Barn has been a wonderful and useful addition to our Forest School site. It has provided shelter from both sun and rain throughout the year, as well as becoming a Reindeer food packing factory at Christmas time!
Sarah Tsiquaye
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