St Catherines Primary School, Kidderminster – Year 3 and 4 Native American Theme
Years 3 and 4 pupils, from St. Catherine’s C.E. Primary School, visited Bodenham Arboretum to support and enrich a KS2 project based on North America. Right from putting dates in the diary Sandra endeavoured to ensure that she planned and delivered a unique and fulfilling experience for the children. She listened to all of our ideas and then made them work brilliantly in a forest school context.
The day was really enjoyable and most worthwhile. The sessions were full but the children were also free to guide their own learning and experiences; they were motivated to challenge themselves and worked well as teams. The day covered so many valuable learning skills and
provided a wide range of learning opportunities which appealed to everyone.
Almost every child described the day as the best trip they had ever been on and I know that the adults loved it too! Thank you Sandra.
Mrs. Sarah Powers
Headteacher
St Catherines Primary School
Kidderminster
Comberton Nursery
“We took our Nursery classes to The World Outside as part of our topic on ‘Growing’. Sandra organised and tailored a wide range of activities that perfectly suited their age ranges and the children were all fully engaged throughout the day.
Sandra had a lovely nature with the children that gained their interest and engagement from the off and many came away from the day able to name and identify different plants and trees, which we were very impressed with!
The children thoroughly enjoyed having the freedom to explore outdoors whilst being in a safe and secure environment that was monitored and thoroughly risk-assessed by Sandra.
The whole experience was highly enjoyable for both staff and children and I would definitely recommend The World Outside to other colleagues. We will definitely be returning!”
Mrs Fox
Comberton Nursery
Priory Primary School – Bodenham Arboretum Trip
From the planning stages to the day of the trip, the school have been thrilled with the attention to detail and the willingness to help shown by the Arboretum and The World Outside. Owing to the size of the year 5 and 6 classes there are few places willing to take on such a large group of children. Added to this were the special need requirements of a number of children.
The five year 5 and 6 classes had been learning about environments. We were able to give the Arboretum and Mrs S Hill the objectives we wished to achieve and they were able to tailor the activities to these objectives. The activities were also age appropriate and engaging to all pupils.
The risk assessment completed by The World Outside was comprehensive and informative. This then enabled the school to complete the statutory authority risk assessment and the individual risk assessments of the children with specific physical needs.
On the days of the trips the children were excited by the activities they took a part in. They all loved den building and the freedom to explore their natural environment. Most asked if they could go again the next day! The learning environment was new to the children but they embraced the challenges and could all talk about what they had learned. For many the highlight was being able to see and touch the animals; something many had not had the opportunity to do before.
Some of the children who went on the trip, find learning in the classroom very difficult. One child in particular had been on a reduced timetable and had been in an intervention group prior to the trip. At school we had been struggling to engage this child. Whilst at the Arboretum he calmed down and listened to the instructions given. He then realised that he was allowed to build his own den, pond dip and roam the arboretum without being confined by walls. He touched a donkey and stood in awe of the creature. He could not stop talking about the trip and was praised by staff for his excellent behaviour and the interest he had shown. He was able to produce some written and art work based on his experiences. A real breakthrough!
The staff and pupils cannot thank the Arboretum and The World Outside enough! We will certainly be organising another trip and have encouraged all year groups to consider a trip too!
Mrs Clare Stockford
Year 5 Class Teacher and Trip organiser
Priory Primary School
