TERRA Nova School is getting to the root of outdoor learning by becoming a Forest School. 

A forest school is a type of outdoor education in which children visit forests or woodlands, learning personal, social and technical skills.

Terra Nova School boasts over four acres of woodland and Headmaster Mark Mitchell is keen to maximise the potential of the school’s facilities.

He said: “We are incredibly excited about becoming a forest school.  Our site is absolutely perfect for it.

“At Terra Nova we pride ourselves not only in providing a solid academic grounding, but in educating the whole person.  Forest school lessons will further strengthen the breadth of our curriculum, and enable the children to develop many important skills.”

The launch of the forest school will see the introduction of three outdoor classroom environments, two shelters and one fully enclosed and functioning outdoor classroom complete with a wood-burning stove. 

Staff will be trained to deliver forest lessons, which will feature on the timetable, and lessons will range from exploring the site and nature investigations, to shelter building and lighting fires. 

Teamwork skills will be delivered through a range of outdoor games and activities and individual skills and self-esteem heightened through activities such as hide and seek, shelter building and tool skills. 

The first forest school classroom will be built over the summer, ready for a September opening.