In the Classroom: Forest pupils brave the rain at Stroud Valley Primary

As a child I remember nothing being more fun than going out exploring, jumping in muddy puddles and learning about nature’s wonders.

Thanks to forest school classes this is something that every pupil gets to enjoy once a week.

I visited on a wet, windy and wild afternoon to experience this lesson first hand.

Normally the lesson is held in Stratford Park, but because the weather was so bad, the children made use of their newly renovated garden and woodland area behind the school.

As we walked down the hill in the rain the Year 2 class happily sang their special forest school song.

These lessons are led by Mrs Suzanne Byrnes, who has been at the school for 13 years. Thanks to a £1,700 grant a few years ago the school has enough gear for every child.

So with everyone wearing their colourful wellies, hats and rain-proof jackets we were ready to go.

After going over the safety rules, the children were set to their first task.

Using pine cones that were scattered around, they had to make little animal sculptures using twigs, leaves, flowers and anything interesting they could find.

Scattering in all directions beneath the trees and bushes the children set to their mission immediately, fashioning creatures and made-up beasts from their imagination.

As the rain got heavier and heavier I spoke to Mrs Byrnes about the lessons.

“We believe there is no such this as bad weather – only appropriate clothing,” she joked.

“Forest school is such a great part of the curriculum so we always have lessons no matter the conditions. It is amazing at building self-motivation, social skills, and for building confidence.

“We regularly see pupils who don’t shine so much in the classroom come into their element in nature. It really lets loose their creative sides – and of course, they absolutely love it.

“I know they all love playing Minecraft, so it great to see them out in nature actually building sand making it with their bare hands.”

I then spoke to some of the children who had finished their little sculptures.

Some created lions and tigers, while other made flamingos and giant sea creatures.

When the pupils gathered together again around a small camp fire, they had to make up stories about their animals.

Year 2 pupil Joni told a tale about her tiger which stalked the jungle and had a beautiful long orange tail, while others told fairy tales about imaginary creatures which lived happily ever after.