In this blog Joanna Hinson, Forest School Leader at Chartham Primary School in Kent celebrates getting the new school year underway as she oversees three forest school sites within the grounds of the primary school, offering regular forest school learning for all children.
I feel like we should break a bottle of champagne over a fire-basket or something (that's not going to happen, I'm not wasting good wine!), but we are now up and running and have three separate, different, Forest Schools on-site! It's taken a while in the planning, and although I'd like to claim it's all part of some master plan, it has simply evolved as Chartham Primary School has embraced Forest School and made the most of the opportunities that have come our way! The children started back at school this week, and all three sites have had classes for full 2-hour sessions. For those who aren't aware, we are a 2-form entry Primary on the outskirts of Canterbury in Kent. Our building was originally designed as a Secondary school and has been adapted for use. It comes with a huge playing field, a car park, a 'School Garden', raised beds, and a strip of woodland around most of the perimeter. Oh, and there's room for the independent Nursery behind our building! We have 14 classes (including Reception - EYFS), plus two satellite SEND classes from St Nicholas' school who share our building.
