Out of the classroom and into the forest

From foraging to climbing log piles, school children in Bristol are being given the opportunity to explore a local forest by a team with the passion for all things outdoors.

Founded in 2004 by Andy Wilson, Bristol Forest School is based in a private woodland in Leigh Court Farm, close to Leigh Woods. What began as a 19th-century pleasure garden in the grounds of Leigh Court mansion, has now been transformed into a site of outdoor play and learning.

From babies and toddlers in the Tiny Trees sessions, to children aged up to 13, everyone is encouraged to plant seeds, collect cones, help cook on the homemade cob ovens and, in case of inclement weather, take refuge in the parachute shelters – or just splash about in their wellies.

“We aim to give children experiences outside and get them off their computers to have fun and enjoy themselves in the woods,” explains Andy. “Currently, we are working with about seven schools regularly, including Whitehall Primary in St George and Hareclive Primary in Hartcliffe. We also run lots of pre-school groups.”

“One of our activities is called ‘free spirits’,” Andy continues. “We paint a mud face on one of the trees and the children have to cheer him up. It teaches them how to make friends and spread happiness. Recently as well there was a girl who was so quiet you could barely hear her. I asked whether she had lost her voice in the woods and when we arrived she pointed at a tree she shouted: ‘There’s my voice behind the tree!’”

At the heart of the organisation is a strong ethos of wildlife conservation and diversity. Many of the staff have a background in education and are united by their love of the outdoors. Speaking of their aims for the future, Andy says: “We have eight acres of woodland and our aim is to have the woods totally managed. We currently have four clearings and we want to work to create more.”

The Forest School also collaborates with another local organisation, Bee the Change, which works to set up beehives across Bristol. “We supplied Forest School with their first ever beehive about four years ago,” says director and self-proclaimed bee enthusiast, Heather Moore. “The children loved it. They could peek through the observation window and watch the bees. They also made shapes out of the wax and ate flatbreads with honey that had been toasted on the fire.”

Opening beehive for Bristol Forest School

Bee the Change also run workshops and establish bee clubs in school settings around the city. “We recently put a beehive on the roof of Hannah More Primary School,” Heather continues. “It’s an inner-city school but we’ve started a bee garden and bee club to teach the children how to look after the bees. We’re also about to start a hive at Wallscourt Farm Academy. Our aim is to instil a love and mystery about the bees.”

For Andy, it’s a love for nature that keeps him out in the woodlands daily, helping the next generation of young Bristolians to enjoy the experience of being outdoors. “It connects me with nature, knowing what is happening throughout the year,” he says. “Seeing life shoot out in spring, hearing the birds busy making nests, the amazing different greens of new growth, summer warmth and vibrancy of the woodland, autumn colours and winter collection of wood and dead nettles to keep the fires going through the year. There is never bad weather or cold when you are busy outside, just different clothing.

“I think it is essential to get children outside into nature throughout the year, to understand the seasons and get dressed for different weathers, rather than being taken door-to-door in a car or sitting inside playing on computer games and watching screens. I like the excitement in children’s faces as they discover new things.”

Bristol Forest School holiday club takes place on March 26-27, and regular sessions run all year round. To find out more, visit www.bristolforestschool.co.uk