Forest School Enrichment Day!

Onside Coaching – East Warwickshire were lucky enough to visit Year 6 at Cawston Grange Primary School today (27/04/21) to deliver a Forest School Enrichment Day. Sadly, due to the pandemic, Year 6 did not manage to go on their residential trip this year, which traditionally children look forward to from an early age.

However, Amanda and George came to the rescue! They planned a fun filled day and covered many skills that the children haven’t been able to learn or practise. Amanda has been a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner for years and with her great experience, is helping George complete his Level 1 Practitioner course at the moment.

The day started at 9am, with name games (giving yourself a fun FS name) and learning about the Forest School Way. The children focused on promoting kindness, understanding, respect and giving things a try. The class were then split in to groups and practised their team building skills i.e. passing on information, creating a shape using a rope and other great games!

Hedgehog dens were up next! Children were in groups of 4 and were sent off with the challenge of creating mini dens for hedgehogs and other wildlife. What do hedgehogs need? What kind of entrance do they need? Can they be protected from other animals? What food and drink do they need? Well... Year 6 did not disappoint. They created many different shelters, including a 3-storey hotel, with a back garden, slide and a 2 metre ‘drive’ up to an arched entrance. This was all with the incentive of extra marshmallows as prizes.

After break, the children came back to activity mats spaced around the outdoor classroom. Groups at a time sat with Amanda and created Nail Art, learning the technique of hammering, creating a pattern of their choice. They then decorated the nails by winding wool around them and creating bright art!  After this, the children learnt how to light a fire using a flint and steel. Children set fire to cotton wool in scallop shells and created their own mini bonfires.

Whilst one group were with Amanda, the other children were circulating the activities. A big hit with the children and teachers, was hanging a hammock in between two trees! Many children asked if this could be a permanent feature and if they could have one in their class room as well. Children also created Elder Jewellery, Dream Catchers and Water Filters.

In the afternoon, the children couldn’t control their excitement… PIZZA MAKING! Amanda took a group at a time, to make, cook and eat their own pizzas. Starting with grating their cheese, spreading their tomato puree and sprinkling over herbs on a tortilla wrap, the children then cooked the pizza over an open fire and got to sit and enjoy their creation!

The other groups were tasked with whittling down a stick for marshmallow toasting, with a stick of their choice. Using a potato peeler, they concentrated on making a spike perfect for a marshmallow. There was also the option to tie different knots, write or draw a nature story with charcoal or keep adding to their previous creations from earlier in the day.

To finish a brilliant, packed day, the children sat around the open fire, discussed their favourite activities, showed what they had created and toasted marshmallows! Name a better day!

Amanda, George and Cawston staff, were amazed by the Year 6’s behaviour, imagination, teamwork and all-round skills. The children got to take their creations home and we hope they have created memories they won’t forget!