In our first Forest School session back we looked at how our site had changed over the Easter Holidays. The children noticed subtle changes, like the newly germinated meadow seeds and more noticeable ones like the beautiful apple blossom. 

Our pond has already has encouraged new species, with a sighting of a water boatman, who was too quick to photograph! Our flowering rush has crept up over the water line and Mrs Liley has kindly given us some pond weed, which will really enhance the pond habitat. 

For the creative element of the session we gathered sticks to make clay hedgehogs, all children took this opportunity.

We revisited the clove hitch, an essential den building knot. We showed great resilience in giving it a go but more practice is needed to perfect the skill. 

Other opportunities on offer for the children were natural den building, the reading cove, hammocks and identification equipment, these opportunities are child led, with gentle encouragement from the Forest School lead in making the most of each opportunity.

In the Spring term at Forest School, we have been busy exploring and getting to know our site. Through exploration we have been able to identify what we share our site with and how we can improve our habitats to encourage more wildlife. 

We have also started to gain basic knot tying skills ready for den building.