Our outdoor learning is centred on a beautiful 22-acre mixed leaf woodland which is just a stone’s throw (or a short minibus ride!) away from School.
Forest School
What do treasure hunts, making fires and whittling tent pegs to put up a bivouac have in common? These are all activities which our children might do in a session of Forest School.
Forest School offers a child centred approach to learning, where our children can learn through self-directed play and exploration. They are given the opportunity to develop their curiosity, confidence, independence, resilience, self-esteem, creativity, communication and social skills as well as their knowledge of the natural environment. Developing these crucial skills is very much in line with our School’s aim to bring out the best in every pupil, making the most of their abilities so that they progress to senior school as confident, independent children.
Each class in Years 3, 4 and 5 enjoys a 6 week block of sessions in the woods each term. Because only one class attends at a time, led by Mr Treavett (a Level 3 qualified Forest School leader) with Mr Velázquez, we have a small child to adult ratio. This enables the children to enjoy a range of activities such as fire lighting using a fire steel, cooking snacks around an open fire, sawing, whittling and den building. Children's skills are developed carefully with small manageable steps, to build confidence and develop their ability to understand and assess risk.
Click here to read more about Forest School from Mr Treavett.
Outdoor Learning
If you go down to the woods today you’re sure to find a happy Pre-Prep exploring the undergrowth! A world of minibeasts, fauna and fun begins with our youngest learners in Nursery, where they explore our on-site fields and wildflower mini-meadow just a ladybird’s flutter away from their classroom. The weekly adventure continues into Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 where our outdoor adventurers wonder through the wildness to our bespoke Forest School. Hot chocolate, treasure hunts, den building and more, all linked to our creative curriculum and led by our specialist Pre Prep teachers.
The Science Pond
Kindly sponsored by The Friends of Sherborne Prep and Knight Frank, our new Pond is a wonderful area on the school campus for children to explore nature. Whether searching for newts, tadpoles or analysing the plant life growing there's always something new to see!