Forest School in Paddington Class

Our first four weeks of Forest School have been full of adventure, teamwork and growing confidence in the outdoors.

In Week One, the children became autumn explorers as we learned to identify three key trees in our woodland: the Ginkgo, the Cherry and the Lime. Using bark and leaf ID cards, the children searched for these trees, compared their shapes and colours and shared their observations about seasonal changes. It was a brilliant start to the term, full of curiosity and enthusiasm.

In Week Two, we introduced rope work and knot-tying. The children learned three different knots: the overhand knot, the figure-of-eight knot and the reef knot. There was plenty of perseverance and problem-solving as they worked out how to secure their creations.

Week Three was all about den building. Working in small teams, the children planned, designed and constructed their own dens using natural materials and tarps. They practised tying ropes to secure their shelters and tested the strength and waterproofing of each design. The teamwork was fantastic, with children negotiating roles, solving problems and celebrating their finished dens together.

In Week Four, we explored navigation. The children learned the four compass directions – North, South, East and West – and even used the position of the sun to help guide them. This week we also created our class leaf compost areas, discussing why composting is important for the woodland and how the leaves will break down over time to support insects, soil health and new growth. We are looking forward to watching our compost evolve throughout the year.

The children have shown incredible curiosity, resilience and teamwork across all four sessions, and we cannot wait for our final two sessions this term!