Mama Beech

Both School and Forest School is up and running with ALL pupils! Since the start of the year we've felt like a one form entry school with very low numbers!  This has meant teaching staff have been juggling remote lessons, recording lessons, being online and in-class teaching on a rota. Plus Forest School has been open to all bubbles with Risk Assessed restrictions and procedures in place to minimise transition. The basics of which are: As Forest School Leader I never enter their classrooms Classes are brought outside to basecamp by a teacher/TA Any tools used are wiped down between bubbles We sit at basecamp for less than 10 minutes at the start and end of sessions The nature of Forest School is that once the children are free to explore they disappear in all directions! Some to climb trees, some to build dens, some to bug hunt, bird spot, treasure find, others to dig, etc. I am never face to face with a pupil or group of pupils for longer than 5 minutes! I move around to see what ...

Next week School and therefore Forest School will be open to all students.  This weekend the staff of an entire education system will brace themselves for the unknown! It will be great to have smiling faces back in classrooms, but the assessment needed, the short term and long terms plans required to move forward, and the expected spectrum of needs, is going to take a lot of management!  As of next week 14 classes will be taking shortened Forest School sessions in the 'woods' in an attempt to continue the Outdoor Learning journey some have been aboard all year, and to reintroduce those who have had a break from it. The aim is to use this time to allow space and freedom to follow self-chosen learning for all. Encouraging movement and exercise for those who have been housebound, and an emotional outlet for those who need to connect with nature, can only serve to make the children healthier, and time to talk for those who have things to say can only make them happier. Once again ...

The two unavoidable topics at the moment are how much 'education' children have missed, and the effect lockdown & C19 have had on their mental health. Schools are less than an fortnight away from welcoming back all pupils while Outdoor Activities/Clubs will be able to commence soon after. Hopefully this means Schools who have had Forest School on hold can re-start sessions, and that Outdoor Learning Provision can open their doors to children who may have spent most of 2021 so far sat in front of a screen.  T he need  to allow for a 'carefree' summer of play was addressed in  The Guardian  : “As part of a wider recovery process, children should be encouraged and supported to spend time outdoors, playing with other children and being physically active" 'Catching up' with 'lost learning' is very important, but there has to be a balance or mental health will be further affected. Children's health physically and psychologically underpins learning...