Somerlap were delighted to be able to help local school Voyage Learning Campus create a forest school.
Opened in 2013, Voyage Learning Campus provides individual education programmes for children who are unable to attend mainstream school. The Milton campus in Weston-super-Mare caters for primary-age students from years 1 to 6. They attend personalised classes that help reduce anxiety about going to school, as well as taking part in sensory learning which helps the students re-engage with learning and manage their behaviour.
The new 'forest school zone'
Following the construction of a new playground, Voyage Learning Campus were keen to build a 'forest school zone' at the edge of the play area. Forest schools allows pupils to learn in the outdoors and take part in beneficial activities including building and art.
Somerlap donated old pallets to the school, which were used to make a bug hotel. They also provided gravel boards, bark, fencing panels and fixings, plus groundcover matting at a significantly discounted rate. Everything was delivered onsite free of charge. The finished forest school includes a bug hotel, den building area and fire pit.
Somerlap's Managing Director, Kevin Bond said; “After visiting I was very impressed with the set up and what they were trying to achieve, so I was delighted that Somerlap were able to contribute to the forest school.”
As a result of helping the school, Somerlap are now stocking a new product: pegs that are specifically designed to secure groundcover matting. After sourcing the matting pegs for the school, Somerlap decided they were an excellent addition to their range.
New outdoor area for Voyage Learning Campus students
The new outdoor learning area is proving to be a huge benefit to the Voyage Learning Campus. Assistant Vice Principal, Alyson Mitchard said; “We would like to say a huge thank you for your help, advice and generosity in the development of our forest school. Your knowledge has enabled us to provide a wonderful outdoor area.
The sessions are already proving to be extremely valuable to our students and they are enjoying the experience of utilising the forest school areas available to them, including exploring, planting, looking for wildlife and building dens.”
The children are delighted with the new forest school. Here's some of their comments...
"My favourite part of forest schools is making a big den and then hiding!"
"I am much better at learning when I am outside so that is why I love forest schools!"
"We never used to be able to do forest schools and now we can! I love getting muddy."
Students enjoy the finished 'forest school zone' at Voyage Learning Campus which features a den building area, bug hotel and even a fire pit.