Lower Heath celebrates the opening of ‘Allwood World’
Staff and children at Lower Heath CE Primary School and Nursery are buzzing at the start of the new academic year, following the opening of their new outdoor learning area, Allwood World, in July. They celebrated the occasion with a Forest School day, led by the staff at ‘Educating Kids Outdoors’. Every child in the school took part in outdoor learning ranging from making Elder ‘Copters’, ‘Woodallions’ and the favourite, learning about safe fire-lighting to toast marshmallows!
The project has been a real community event, with children, parents, staff and governors being involved with the design and implementation of the amazing space. Helen Hipkins and Ellen Langer, staff at Lower Heath, designed the ambitious forest school area.
Mrs Hipkins said; “Forest School gives children the time and space necessary to develop the tools and skills to become resilient, independent and inquisitive learners. Our core aim is to engage children in the natural environment and to have fun. As we all know, when children have a purpose to their learning and are fully engaged they will achieve far more.”
Staff and children of Lower Heath were immensely grateful for the support given to the project from the local community. Parents and staff initially cleared the site ready for development. Sarah Allwood, a parent governor, and her family were hugely involved with seeing the project through.
^Ellen Langer, Helen Hipkins, Sarah Allwood and Jane Mifflin from Educating Kids Outdoors, pictured during the grand opening of Allwood World.
Mrs Allwood commented; “As a farming family, we are passionate about the outdoors and I personally wanted my children, who love attending Lower Heath CE Primary School, to benefit from regular time outdoors, exploring nature. Lower Heath has a wonderful community and I was hugely keen to support with this project. We are so proud of the area and can’t wait for the children to benefit from it!”
From September, all children throughout the school will be take part in outdoor learning activities in Allwood World, named after the Allwood family, who played such a key role.
Helen Reynolds, Headteacher, said; “As a school, we strongly believe in the benefits of providing our children with regular access to the outdoors. The national picture is that children and families are spending less time outside due to the appeal of technology and computer games. It is an important role for us to inspire children to connect with their surroundings and be more active. We know that outdoor learning boosts mental wellbeing, confidence, social skills and communication as well as building self-confidence and a positive attitude to learning. The Forest School experience is an inspirational process that offers children regular opportunities to achieve through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment.”
If you would like to visit Lower Heath CE Primary School and Nursery to view this wonderful outdoor facility, please contact the school on 01948 840524.
Posted by marchesadmin on 6th September 2023, under Uncategorised
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