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...

This week has been a bit manic. We are co-arranging the Level 3 Forest School Training which is happening next term at our site, and the admin around it arrives in fits and starts and takes up more time than expected when the emails ping in!  Meanwhile, usual sessions are going ahead across the school and need provision and development.  Across the week I have engaged the groups to help alter the Mud Kitchen a little. It is simply a makeshift structure of pallets, but they like using it - a LOT! So we discussed what they wanted to add, worked out how to add it, and then the children helped create the changes. This has ranged from planting a small hedge to hammering nails and using the bow saw to cut wood.  Children from Year 1 to Year 6 have had an input in the design, which will remain quite fluid to ensure it can easily be changed at a later date. The children decided they wanted a table, a sofa, and a way of 'serving' food to people not in the Mud Kitchen. So far, the ...