Mama Beech

It's been one of those  weeks. It's felt ten days long and my feet haven't touched the ground. In fact, my no-work Friday has included 7 hours of admin on the laptops.  On top of the 7 Chartham classes doing Forest School sessions, we had Aylesham school visiting for a session too. Some of the Eco Clubs were up and running, but other changes in this new Term's timetable needed negotiating to make space.  Next week the Firs Nursery next door will be having sessions so these needed planning as well as the regular eight weekly ones this Term. We're also not too far off hosting over a dozen Level 3 Forest School Leader students for their training on-site. Oh, and we'll be repeating said training in the Autumn. Usual site maintenance, a half-year 'report', an update to the 5-year site management plan, two volunteers, a member of staff joining the training programme, a phone call to Uruguay to answer some Forest School and Outdoor learning questions, and my fe

How did we reach Term 4? That's half the school year gone. Winter break seems ages ago yet this still feels like the 'new' academic year! Summer will be here before we know it! However, there is a lot to get through before that happens! This week a school on the other side of Canterbury started a few taster sessions t o see how their children respond to the Forest School experience. We're beginning with half classes from Year 2 and hoping to end the Term with full classes. The aim is to see how well this works for them, and the potential is Forest School up and running on their own grounds. It's exciting to think that Forest School will be spreading a little further! The children have been amazing. They don't know me at all, they're not used to sessions, and they have to put up with a minibus to trip reach us. But they have embraced the rules, and the ethos and are eager for another visit. It's been a while since I had a basecamp full of newbies! When I

It's Half Term here at Chartham, celebration week has been completed, the children had their treats and hot chocolate, and we're all waking up to a week with no school. Term 3, or the first half of 'Spring Term' is a tough one. It is 6 weeks long and emerges from the Christmas Slump. Schools start new topics and themes, with a few side tracks to incorporate Lunar New Year, Burns Night, Valentines day, etc.  Frequently, there are new staff and children starting, finding their feet and settling in. The weather will range from freezing fog to crisp, bright sunshine. There's rain, mud, puddles, wind, frost, hail, sleep, snow, steamy breath, cold fingers, and a damp feeling that threatens to enter the very core of you! You get up in the dark and go home in the dark, and for many that can be a challenge. In-between is usually cold. Chilly some days, sub zero temperatures others. It's mid winter. The days ARE slowly getting longer but they can very drab. Outdoor Learni

Children love being outside.  All ages. Yes, many will opt to be on their computer given half a chance, and this preference sways more to online activities as they grow older, but offered a day at the beach or a chance to ride a bike in a park, the vast majority of children will choose to go outside and do something. Parents' are constantly trying to reduce screen time and keep children occupied while they are not online. Frequently the result is that children are 'climbing the walls' with parents going crazy to keep them entertained. However, as they say: if children are climbing the walls take the walls away! Teachers are constantly trying to engage pupils with ever-growing range of abilities. They want to make their lessons memorable and meaningful. Frequently the result is that despite a high percentage of children on task, trying to appeal to those who are struggling with an aspect of their learning is demanding. In October 2021 the UK Government published the results