Excited children lined up as their primary school launched its forest school provision.
Knuzden St Oswald's Church of England Primary School, on Mount St James, welcomed pupils and parents to enjoy marshmallows by a fire earlier this week as they officially opened the forest school space.
Pat Hood, a governor of the school, officially cut the ribbon for the site after her son donated the funds for the provision.
Headteacher Andrea Gray said: “We have opened our official forest school site.
“We are so excited that the children have got this absolutely fantastic provision to do all kinds of outdoor activities.
“They have been toasting marshmallows, having hot chocolate, they are looking at this from the natural environment and generally having fun.”
Laura Barlow, deputy head and one of the forest school leaders, said the forest school started as an idea between her and Natalie Stout and developed from there.
Laura and Natalie went for training last year along with Heather Feehan and qualified as forest school teachers.
They have been using a temporary site to teach forest school sessions since September but are excited to let the children start learning on the school grounds.
Laura said: “It just allows the children to come out and be themselves.
“It builds resilience, it builds teamwork, it builds lots of positivity amongst children in school, builds their confidence.
“We have found that lots of children who struggle in the classroom come out here and really flourish.”
All children in the school have access to the provision and explore nature every half term.
Forest sessions include time around the fire, time to explore the woodland, activities such as tool work and identifying items before the session ends with a reflection and hot chocolate around the fire.
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