Schools across Stevenage urged to teach pupils outside

Pupils at Ardeley St Lawrence school in Herts go down to the woods for lessons

Going to school and sitting in a stuffy classroom all day long is not the most appealing prospect for many youngsters.

However, pupils from schools across Stevenage have been looking forward to lessons a lot more recently, thanks to a new nature project.

'Tales from the Wood' aims to teach children outside of the classroom.

Head of Ardley St Lawrence School, Jenny Dingley said: "We use the natural world to stimulate the children's imaginations."

Snow

"It's enabled the school to take a step back from the huge pressures of life today. It brings indoor classrooms outdoors and welcomes the outside into the school in a challenging but safe way.

Jenny told BBC Three Counties Radio reporter, Gareth Lloyd that the recent weather had not been a problem:

"Working in the snow and the mud has been fun."

Teachers at the school have noticed an improvement in the children's work since they started the project as Jenny explained:

"It's fostered a great sense of community, creativity and imagination.

"The standard of pupils writing has markedly risen as a result of this experience."

Campfire

Royal Opera House Creative Partnerships who aim to make long-term partnerships between schools and creative professionals, rolled out the project across schools in the Stevenage area.

The group enlisted the help of forest practitioner, Jane Glynn to help pupils explore and learn about nature.

"The wood is full of surprises," said Jane.

"These classes generate an engaged, lively and exciting relationship with learning that follows children back into the classroom."

The children have been making small houses and shelters in the nearby wood and singing and telling stories around a campfire.

Parents are encouraged to join in

However, traditional subjects have not been ignored with lessons in maths, science, art and music also being taken outside.

Parents and grandparents were invited to Ardley St Lawrence School to celebrate their outdoor work.

Faron told the BBC: "The trees made my mummy feel happy."

Christopher liked the hands on experience: "Making houses for the woodland animals was really special."

While Elina enjoyed the collectiveness "I loved it that everyone joined together round the camp fire."