Schools

Forest Schools

Partners

• Wye Valley AONB
• Shirenewton Primary School
• The Forestry Commission in Wales.

The Wye Valley's first Forest School for children from Shirenewton Primary School in Monmouthshire is being used to teach children to respect the environment while learning through it.

Lessons develop decision making and team building skills and are linked to Curriculum Cymreig (the cultural, economic, environmental, historical and linguistic characteristics of Wales.) They are held in Badger Wood, near Shirenewton where a clearing has been prepared as an outdoor classroom by the Forestry Commission in Wales.

Themed activities for a series of five lessons for seven and eight-year-old pupils have been linked to the book "Rhiannon's Way" which is based in Monmouthshire at the time of the Roman invasion and written by local author Margaret Isaac.

The pupils have learnt to make map sticks with items collected along the route to their forest classroom, have made jewellery, using natural materials, and have learnt to make artists' charcoal, build fires and toast marshmallows.

Debbie Ward, Head Teacher at Shirenewton Primary School said: "The Forest School project has allowed the children to challenge their potential in a safe environment with enthusiastic and supportive staff. The experience has provided them with a range of activities, which would otherwise be denied in the traditional classroom. They have been given the opportunity to extend personal, social and living skills through activities such as drama, art, science and technology."

The Forestry Commission in Wales intends to develop the concept throughout Monmouthshire through the Forest Education Initiative partnership.

The Wye Valley AONB unit is working to extend its programme into Herefordshire, and is developing a similar initiative with Mordiford Primary School.

School Projects

The Wye Valley AONB community links officer works with local schools to advise on school grounds improvement projects, tree planting and the development of tree nurseries. For help with your school project in the AONB, e-mail: community@wyevalleyaonb.org.uk.

Sustainable School Meals

Following on from its Better School Dinners conference, the AONB unit is working with local schools in Monmouthshire to develop a pilot project to put more fresh seasonal produce on the menu for our children. A similar project is being developed in Herefordshire.
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