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Our School

ACE Forest School with Mr Dart and Mr Riches

Forest School (9)

astley

…..We put Mr Dart, Mr Riches and Forest Schools in the ACE Spotlight! to find out what exciting changes are in store for pupils this academic year.

Forest Schools has always been a popular lesson and After School Club for pupils at Astley Primary. Our Forest Schools Club run by Mr Dart and his staff helpers has always been oversubscribed. Pupils in Year 5 have traditionally had Forest Schools lessons every week.

This Autumn has seen some exciting changes for pupils at Astley.

Read on to learn about Mr Dart's vision and plans for Forest Schools...


What brought you to teaching and how long have you been teaching at Astley?

I've been teaching since September 2014, my entire teaching career! I come from a family of teachers on my mum’s side and both my parents. I first did Forest Schools training to use when I worked as a Playworker in After School and Holiday Clubs as well as Home-schooling groups.


You are Subject Lead for Science and Outdoor Learning as well as Astley's Yr5 teacher, along with Mrs Anderson. Please explain the term 'Forest Schools.'

What is Forest School? | Forest School Association

https://forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/

This website has some fantastic information about Forest Schools.


What subjects areas of school and specifically Science did you enjoy whilst you were at school and did you have the opportunity to learn outdoors?

English was a favourite subject and I loved reading and writing. I learned to play the Trumpet in orchestras, wind and jazz band and sung in choirs. When taking Biology A-level I enjoyed learning how the natural world works and zooming in on microscopic levels.

I played Rugby in all weathers, especially loved school trips and outward bound activities such as Duke of Edinburgh, camping, orienteering and all the kinds of activities where campfires were involved! I also loved visiting my farming family in Somerset. All these things have helped my love of the outdoors.


Forest Schools is set for some exciting changes from September 2021. Please explain these changes to us and outline what activities Astley pupils will be able to look forward to this coming year?

The exciting news is that all year groups over the year will get chance to take part in Forest Schools activities, each class doing half a day week for a whole term! Pupils will be involved in assessing healthy risk and benefit; the safe use of fire, foraging and cooking and using tools. They will also be developing nature awareness, climbing trees and den building!


Tell us why Forest Schools is important to pupil's learning?

It’s great!! They love it and the learning is irresistible. Of course there are lots of layers to what is learnt and pupils will experience real-world examples and connections. This helps build in to our ACE Curriculum experience, which provides every child with the inspiration, challenge, opportunities and skills to become lifelong learners who have choice.


How does outdoor learning impact what teachers can deliver to pupils?

Teachers can use a variety of learning resources and make the most of the different environments for learning that Astley has so readily. Forest Schools offers a less computer focused, back to basics approach to learning.


How has the Pandemic and the previous lockdowns affected pupil's learning outdoors and what changes has it brought about?

Those pupils that were in school were lucky to have access to a rich outdoor environment which made it easy to social distance and learn in a well ventilated space. Teachers have noted pupil's increased appreciation for the outdoors and their local environment and being outdoors was helpful for pupil's mental health and dealing with the stresses of lockdown. Year 5 had weekly Forest School challenges through twitter which encouraged families to spend more time in the local landscape.


How does Forest Schools tie in with Science as a curriculum subject?

There are lots of opportunities for links in Forest Schools with the Science Curriculum, for example, in Biology through plant needs, parts, uses, reproduction, growth and their identification; the same through animal and human life cycles, living things and habitats and learning about the variety of places creatures live. Physics can be explored through  forces, pulleys, friction, levers, air resistance and seasonal changes. Space can be studied through the movement of Earth, changes in the moon and the appearance of the sun. And lastly, Chemistry; through melting, evaporating, condensation, mixing and separating materials. The connections are exciting and endless!


In what ways does Forest Schools relate to other areas of the curriculum?

There are great opportunities for recreation and role play to make History come alive and also the exploration of earlier technologies to transport children to different times. Geography connects with Forest Schools through the study of the local environment in map work and the living landscape; the use of land and water and the effect of weather. Life skills are learned through the impact of the change of environment and atmosphere and through the lessons learned through working together to achieve goals.


Mr Riches has been very involved in delivering Forest Schools at Astley. What skills does Mr Riches bring to this role?

Mr Dart: Having had an outdoor focused childhood, Mr Riches is very experienced, enthusiastic and hugely knowledgeable about all things 'outdoors'. He has previous experience in historical re-enactment, brings fun to the role and knows what children would enjoy!

Mr Riches:  Since the age of seventeen I've lived in the woods as I love being surrounded by trees. I spend most of my time outside and with my exotic aminals. I really enjoy getting to share my passion for animals and nature as I feel the chidren learn more when staff are passionate about what they do.


Mr Dart, part of your role this year will be to help extend Forest Schools skills to all staff. What are the challenges of delivering Forest Schools to all pupils and how do you think teacher training will impact learning for pupils at Astley?

Mr Dart:  As well as pupils, Astley staff all embrace the opportunity to learn and grow. I'd like to empower teachers to feel more confident that they are meeting and assessing the curriculum sufficiently. The challenges of delivering Forest Schools to all pupils are mainly due to time constraints and adult to child ratios, but all pupils should have a happier, healthier and richer variety of educational experience. We provide opportunities for those pupils who do better outside and give an enjoyable variety for pupils who thrive in a traditional classroom environment.

Mr Riches:  Through Forest Schools I have seen children who may find it hard to engage with lessons coming into their own and trying their hardest to be part of the lessons. This positive response can be used as a catalyst for learning in the classroom.


How do you think learning in Forest Schools benefits pupil's mental health and the work of the Pastoral Support Team here at Astley Primary?

Mr Dart:  Forest Schools gives pupils a sense of connection to the rest of the living world. The ability to assess risk and benefit and make decisions is empowering! Being respected and trusted to do things which involve precision and care and/or physical strength builds confidence and a sense of self worth. Overcoming adverse conditions, such as the weather, helps to build pupil resilience and hope and space to reflect helps deal with big emotions.

Of course, pupils also gain elemental experience, through fire, earth, plants and animals and are taken back to basics with their use of tools and the understanding of how things are made. Pupils must learn to deal with the overwhelming sense of being small and how to meet their needs on a fundamental level by using their imagination to interact with the wider world.

Mr Riches:  Through Forest School activities the children get the chance to learn mindfulness indirectly. This happens, for example, when we take time to listen and use all our other senses. We then think about how it makes us feel. Forest Schools gives pupils a chance to establish their safebase and an opportunity to form relationships with different members of staff. This directly supports the work of the Pastoral Support Team.


What is your vision for Forest Schools at Astley and how would you like to see things develop in the future?

It is wonderful that Forest Schools is being extended to all classes and exciting that all classes are enthusiastic and committed to using outdoor learning. I would like to see links forged with High Schools and their existing outdoor projects and to extend the potential of the end of Year Y6 celebrations.


What resources does Astley already have for Forest Schools and what resources would you like to see pupils have to help them in the future?

We have extensive grounds, a pond, orchards, coppiced hazel, a willow tunnel, wildflower meadow, flower beds and borders, gardens for growing, a woodland corridor, a quiet area of the woods and an outdoor shed and equipment. Recently we have acquired a new Bell Tent. We have a chicken coup and are hoping to get chickens soon as well as a woodburner for the bell tent to keep us snug in the winter months.

We would like some proper weaving willow, round cobble stones for pond edging and a solar powered water pump to maintain pond clarity. We would like to use natural materials for making such as wool, leather and stone. We always need more hardwearing gloves, fire steels, secateurs and loppers. We have recently requested and been delighted with the donation of wellies and waterproofs for children and would still welcome more! Adult volunteers are always welcome too!

Special thanks to Mr Dart and Mr Riches for shining in our camp- fire ACE spotlight!


Our ACE Roving Reporters, India Dagless and Reilly Hunt share their experiences of Forest Schools:-

India:  I was a bit nervous, but then I realised Forest Schools is so fun. You can build dens and make fires while you learn Science. We once had hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows! We also made our own currency. We called them 'Acoins', like acorns, but we later found out they were hazelnuts.

Reilly:   Forest Schools is that fun, we even made our own currency! Our teachers, Mr Dart and Mr Riches were filled with fun. We made a doughy treat, popcorn, marshmallows and more!

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Our Schools

Synergy Multi-Academy Trust comprises fifteen Norfolk schools serving children between the ages of 2 and 18. Our schools work collaboratively together to raise standards and provide education of the highest possible standard, offering the best of opportunities for pupils. The Trust was initially established in 2015. We believe that all of our schools have strengths and areas to develop, and that all can improve through sharing expertise and wisdom. The Trust understands that there will be excellent practice in each school, and that every school will be able to contribute to the development of the Trust as a whole.

Our Schools

Synergy Multi-Academy Trust comprises fifteen Norfolk schools serving children between the ages of 2 and 18. Our schools work collaboratively together to raise standards and provide education of the highest possible standard, offering the best of opportunities for pupils. The Trust was initially established in 2015. We believe that all of our schools have strengths and areas to develop, and that all can improve through sharing expertise and wisdom. The Trust understands that there will be excellent practice in each school, and that every school will be able to contribute to the development of the Trust as a whole.