At St Mary's, we are lucky to have our very own woodland and a specialist Forest School teacher who works across the Ecclesia Partnership of schools. 

Forest School is a child-centred approach to learning that provides opportunities to learn and explore in a natural outdoor environment, helping children to develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong appreciation of the world around them. Through activities such as exploring nature, den building, using tools, creating natural artwork and learning about local wildlife, children develop practical skills while learning through hands-on experience - and of course, having lots of fun outdoors! 

Spending time in nature brings many benefits for children's wellbeing as well as their learning. Forest School helps to build resilience, improve communication and teamwork, support physical and mental wellbeing, and foster a sense of wonder about the world around them. We believe these rich outdoor experiences complement learning in the classroom, nurturing children who are confident, compassionate and ready to flourish both in school and beyond.

Our school values are at the heart of Forest School: Children show Love as they care for one another and the natural world, Respect as they learn to value their environment and each other's ideas, Faith as they grow in confidence to try new experiences, Perseverance as they tackle challenges and learn from setbacks, and Service as they work together, support their peers and take responsibility for the world around them.