Page 15 - Androvian2021

BEACH AND FOREST SCHOOL | 13
Once the children graduate to Year 3, their outdoor learning continues on the beautiful beaches on our doorstep. Each and every week the children venture to the Eastbourne coastline to learn about the wonders that abound there. One week they may be creating mythical creatures from objects found on the beach and creating stories based on them; the next week they might be building sailing ships from natural items found on the beach and launching them out to sea in a competition to see whose will go fur thest! The excitement is always palpable in this par ticular lesson, as children cheer and whoop in the hope that their ship will be the most successful. Each lesson ends with a lovely catch up session, drinking hot chocolate and eating biscuits and discussing what we have learnt.The beauty of Beach School is that, as well as learning about our beautiful environment and how we can protect it, the children also learn about themselves and how we need to adapt to work as an effective team member. Children who struggle in the classroom often shine in this less pressured environment and emerge as natural leaders.
We venture to the beach in all weathers, so the children learn about the importance of sun protection in sunny weather and the need to wrap up against the elements in rain and snow. In addition to benefitting the children, Beach School is also of benefit to the community and nature itself as we carry out beach cleans during which the children learn about being responsible citizens and looking after the environment.
Catherine Hart, Head of Juniors and Armelle Wilkinson, Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery