Foundation fun in Forest School

This week children from Years 1 and 2 at King’s St Alban’s travelled the short distance across town to take part in a special Forest School Day at King’s Hawford. The day provided children from our Prep Schools with an opportunity to make new friends and spend time together outside.

King’s Hawford benefits from two well-established Forest School sites. For this week’s Forest School Day, the top Forest School was utilised. Children and staff from King’s Hawford were excited to welcome their counterparts from King’s St Alban’s to school. The morning was dedicated to Year 2. Excitement was high as the King’s St Alban’s minibus pulled onto site. After disembarking from the ‘bus, the children headed straight to the Forest School site for a briefing. After a quick reminder of the rules of Forest School, the children were separated into groups, mixing together children from each school.

Whilst the different groups explored the Forest School site, one group at a time were taken to complete a barefoot sensory trail. With wellies and socks cast aside, the children enjoyed squelching, crunching, slipping and splashing their way around the trail. After a couple of laps, the children split into pairs. One member of each pair had to close their eyes and rely on their partner to guide them around. It was brilliant to watch the children working well in their pairs and building their teamwork skills.

During morning break, children from King’s Hawford were keen to show the King’s St Alban’s children their play area. The children from both schools had a wonderful time exploring the adventure playground. After break there was just enough time for one final session in Forest School before King’s St Alban’s had to depart.

After lunch it was Year 1’s turn. A very excited cohort from King’s St Alban’s joined a very excited group of their peers from King’s Hawford. The combined group of children took part in a range of different activities within the Forest School site. Group by group they also braved the barefoot sensory trail.

At the end of the afternoon session, the children bade a fond farewell to their new friends. Pupils and staff are already looking ahead to the next joint event between our Pre-Prep departments…