Parkend Primary School
The small school with BIG ideas!
Forest School is an approach to learning which uses the natural environment as the children’s main teacher. Whilst in the woods our children foster a respect for nature and they develop an understanding of their natural environment through open enquiry and exploration.
It takes the classroom to a new level, brings learning to life and encourages exploration of Maths, Reading and Writing, as well as the wider curriculum in a different form.
The children at Parkend always enjoy their Forest School experiences and develop as a whole child.
Our aim with Forest School is to encourage young people who are free-thinking, who ask questions and who are also pushing their boundaries, all at their own pace. When learners step out of their comfort zone that is where true growth occurs.
Forest School is timetabled for each class every Friday
Picture Gallery 2022-2023
The Y2 children wanted to improve the route down to the log circle so they carried branches to make a definite path way and used natural items to clear fallen leaves. They have been learning how to tie reef knots and how to store ropes safely in preparation for building structures in the future.
An integrated part of the Forest Classroom experience is that children will experience the outdoors in all weathers (except high winds and thunder storms). Children should come to school dressed in their forest classroom clothes and will return home in their forest classroom clothes. They do not need to bring their school uniform with them. However, if they do not already have a spare change of clothes in school please provide this as they may get very muddy or wet!
It is paramount that your child is dressed in suitable clothing.
IT’S EASY TO forget that many schools’ ‘Forest School’ areas lie by necessity within their grounds. How lucky we are that our grounds open up straight into the beautiful and wild Forestry Commission woodland of the Forest of Dean. At Parkend School we truly value our location and get out into nature whenever we can.
THE GAZEBO WITHIN our grounds and the log circle in the woods outside provide two excellent and well-shaded outside classrooms that allow us to get safely hands-on with the natural world and use stimulating exploration to link to many areas of the curriculum. We also have several raised beds and a greenhouse within our enclosed school garden, where children can plant, tend and watch grow various flowers and vegetables throughout the seasons. We also hope to have a wildlife pond within this enclosure soon, allowing our pupils to study even more life cycles at first hand.
Our allotment is taking shape and we have planted, looked after and harvested an assortment of crops this year already. For more information please refer to the allotment section on the website.