Learning the Forest School Way
Today we welcomed Bilston Primary School for our ‘Days in the Woods’ experience! Exploring the natural spaces, meeting our pets, and exploring what lies beneath the trees, investigating the leaf litter habitats and looking for minibeasts living there were just some of the experiences we shared with children and adults.
The National Lottery Community Fund is funding this project by giving Kingswood Trust £15613 to help our communities thrive. Bilston Primary School was the first group to benefit from this day connecting with nature and engaging in nature-based activities.
One of the pupils said,
“I am happy here. We have seen the animals and fed the sheep. We can’t do that at school and now we are looking for insects in these leaves.”
The activities give children the opportunity to develop independence skills and promote positive self-esteem, as well as encouraging children to appreciate the natural world around them.
Throughout the year these funded day visits will be offered to different schools, at no cost, for local children and accompanying adults.
With the day tailored for children and adults of all ages and abilities, children from the age of 6 up to 10 can benefit from the experience which gives them the opportunity to learn through nature and support positive mental health and well-being.
During these visits, children engage in a variety of nature-based, forest school, well-being and story-themed activities, including, creative crafts, leaf/tree identification, blindfold trails, map reading and orienteering, den building and feeding and stroking the Kingswood Trust pets. Well-being days will focus on exploring coping strategies through breathing techniques, collaboration with others and forest exploration.
Without this funding, children and their families would find it difficult to access an outdoor environmental place like Kingswood Trust. Children can take part in nature trails, meet the sheep and other resident pets, den building, tree climbing, nature watching and forest school activities.
The ‘Days in the Woods’ experience enables opportunities for hands on exploration, to learn new skills and improve children’s personal, social, and emotional development. Exploring and playing in natural spaces encourages children to develop their creativity and problem-solving skills whilst fostering imagination and curiosity for the natural environment.
Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. The ethos is shared by thousands of trained practitioners across the UK and beyond. Its roots reach back to early years pioneers in outdoor learning and across the sea to Scandinavia.
The Kingswood Trust
Address and Directions
The Kingswood Trust
Holyhead Road
Kingswood
Wolverhampton
WV7 3AP
Tel: 01902 558132
Email: Kingswood@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Email Head: Rachel.Wells@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Opening Times
Monday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Weekends: Vary by event
For group bookings and stays contact The Kingswood Trust directly to arrange or call us direct on 01902 558132.
Book Our Events
We hold many fun events all year round. To see our latest events and book your place simply go to our eventbrite page.
Accessibility
The Kingswood Trust are delighted to have achieved top marks for Learning Outside the Classroom, read more about LOtC here.
Assistance Dogs are welcome at The Kingswood Trust.
The Kingswood Trust is wheelchair friendly. All buildings are on one level and the majority of the grounds can be accessed with a wheelchair. Wheelchair accessible toilets are also available.
