Launching Our Village Forest School
Camilla Peterkin
Camilla Peterkin
Our hope for the future lies in the hands of the children of today, so imagine you are 6 years old and you are joining a group of friends to gather in a beautiful wood surrounded by nature. In the wood is an inspirational teacher who helps you learn about the world that surrounds you and encourages you to explore and appreciate it through play. There aren’t the usual classroom toys, so you play using your imagination and the things you find in the wood. You get to go on a Mini Beast trail to find bugs and creatures, you mix potions in a nature kitchen, and create mythical creatures and little dens for them. You get to hear and tell stories about the animals around you, and you sit around a campfire to listen to a story. You sit on logs which might also be a home to mini beasts!
This is the essence of Forest School and such activities are widely accepted within the educational sector as an important contributor to children’s understanding of the natural world. By encouraging children to play and learn within a natural environment the benefits are not only to their learning but to their physical and mental health.Through this form of outdoor education and experiential learning it is hoped that the next generation will become knowledgeable and caring custodians of our natural world.
During August Re-Betchworth, with support from the Parish Council, hosted two Forest School taster sessions for 32 children from Betchworth and the surrounding villages.
This is the essence of Forest School and such activities are widely accepted within the educational sector as an important contributor to children’s understanding of the natural world. By encouraging children to play and learn within a natural environment the benefits are not only to their learning but to their physical and mental health.Through this form of outdoor education and experiential learning it is hoped that the next generation will become knowledgeable and caring custodians of our natural world.
During August Re-Betchworth, with support from the Parish Council, hosted two Forest School taster sessions for 32 children from Betchworth and the surrounding villages.
Our Forest School was held in a delightful wood in a local garden. Activities were led by our very own Betchworth Forest School Leader and primary school teacher, Clair Cobbold, who has recently moved into the village with her family. Children from ages 5 to 11 years old, spent 2 hours playing amongst and with nature. The hot dry summer meant that insects were not as plentiful as normal but there was no shortage of ants, spiders and butterflies.
Following the success of the taster sessions we are planning to run more Forest School events. The next Forest School will be held on Saturday November 19th and if you would like to join it, or find out more, please contact Forest School Leader Clair Cobbold: 07799305378. [email protected].
Acknowledgements : We are grateful to the Parish Council for financial support and Ken and Ros Rokison for giving the Forest School a home. We would like to say a special thank you to Clair Cobbold for her inspiring leadership of the Forest School and to the parents for allowing us to photograph their children at play so that we can gain a flavour of their experience.
Following the success of the taster sessions we are planning to run more Forest School events. The next Forest School will be held on Saturday November 19th and if you would like to join it, or find out more, please contact Forest School Leader Clair Cobbold: 07799305378. [email protected].
Acknowledgements : We are grateful to the Parish Council for financial support and Ken and Ros Rokison for giving the Forest School a home. We would like to say a special thank you to Clair Cobbold for her inspiring leadership of the Forest School and to the parents for allowing us to photograph their children at play so that we can gain a flavour of their experience.