Children's Voice
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 Learning is not necessarily a priority for schools in January.
Forest School continues regardless. Campfires, warm rocks to hold, keep moving, shorten the duration if need be, nag about doing up coats, remind parents to supply layers, aim to keep children dry, let them enjoy the space and the freshness of the very fresh air!
This has been the experience of our pupils so far in 2023.
Mornings of starting sessions while the thermometer declares it's not reached zero degrees centigrade yet has changed everyone's perception of cold, now if we reach 10°c children strip layers off while exploring! At times Forest School has been uncomfortable, regardless of clothing. Wellies full of cold puddle water, mud soaked through to the skin, scarlet finger, cold ears, and numb toes, have cropped up regularly.
Still the children bound outside full of smiles and jokes, eyes a-glitter, eager to explore, to play, to make, to do. And they traipse back in with cold hands and rosy cheeks, steaming from exertion, grinning and chattering.
A few days ago we had visitors. Our ex deputy headteacher who moved on to his own headship elsewhere. He and some colleagues had come to look around Forest School and site before they embark on their outdoor learning focus.
Obviously, he arrived to a boy band greeting of pupils screaming his name, desperate for his attention, but after the wander around the grounds the KS2 Eco Club assembled at basecamp for a Q&A session to give a child's perspective on Forest School.
Considering their latest experiences I wasn't overly convinced they'd be enthusiastic!
They were asked:
Why do you like doing Forest School?
Because kids spend too much time looking at screens.
Because I don't get to be outside very much.
Because when I go home I don't get to go out.
Because I can spend time with my friends.
Because I can do stuff like climb trees.
Do you think you get to do risky stuff?
Nods all round.
I asked who was the FIRST person to keep them safe?
"Ourselves"
Do you learn anything at Forest School?
How to look after wildlife.
How to make ink.
It's not like maths where we have something we have to do. We get to explore and see stuff for ourselves.
I like looking after the environment and learning things about how we can help.
It's not like maths where you have to think about only one thing.
What would you show someone who has never been to Forest School?
I'd take them to our pond and let them find things in there, it's an amazing space.
I'd just let them wander around and see for themselves.
What would you say to us if we were thinking of starting a Forest School?
Do it!
Start one!
It's really good! It's good for the environment and its good to be outside and it's good to see all of this! (Gestures around)
One member of this committee of eight only started at the school last month so has a very limited experience of sessions.
My parents think it's really good that I get to do this. It's busy at home and I don't get to go out after school so Forest School is kind of an extra playtime but with nature.
They spoke with enthusiasm and in earnest, genuinely aiming to convince their audience that not only did they enjoy Forest School, but that it's a worth while venture.
The Eco Club members were from Years 4, 5 and 6. Most of them are in their 4th year of regular sessions. They have seen it in all seasons, and all weathers. Interestingly they are not members of the Eco Club because of a personal interest. Participants were chosen because it was felt that they would benefit form being on a committee. Finding their voice, speaking in front of others, take on board other people's opinion, take part in practical teamwork and problem solving etc.
Despite the random make up of this group, they were all engaged in the idea of Forest School, nature and the environment. They all championed it, all had positive things to recommend it, and the youngest sidled up to me afterwards to solemnly declare: David Attenborough is my hero!
They got to use up the remaining ten minutes of Eco time 'testing' the strap lines and swings before heading back to class.
We regularly talk at basecamp about what we like and dislike, have suggestions and compromises over what we can do or introduce, but it's the first time I've heard their 'overviews Forest School as a whole. Their answers weren't influenced by what they plan to do right now, or based on what was the most fun in the last hour or so.
Their reasoning for providing and enjoying sessions was based firmly in understanding the environment and fostering their relationship with it.
They enjoyed nature and Wildlife, friends and fun, and understood there was responsibility to look after all of it, animal, plant, and themselves.
I don't know entirely what the adults took away from it. But I think it was positive!
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