The Secret Garden

“Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.”

Thomas Berry

Our Secret Garden is an amazing place!

Located just outside the school’s walls, the area is a wonderful wilderness that the children utilise throughout the school year.  It has a pond, growing beds, bug hotel and wormery that children can explore.  It is a wonderful outdoor classroom as well which we utilise for many science and creative projects.

Learning need not take place solely within educational buildings. Outdoor time often provides the most memorable learning experiences and helps children to make sense of the world around them by putting their learning into a meaningful context.

Recent studies have highlighted some benefits of outdoor learning for young children:

  • higher levels of conversational language.
  • greater independence.
  • improved health and sleeping patterns.
  • greater physical competence and agility.
  • improved time focus on activities and more concentration.
  • a greater understanding of nature and the environment.
  • improved social skills, involvement and initiative.

We love our secret garden and enjoy being in it whenever we can!

In Summer Term 2018 children from the Nursery and Reception classes visited the area weekly to participate in structured Forest School lessons led by two fully trained Forest School providers.  Lessons took place rain, hail or shine!  Our wonderful Parents’ Association funded the project that was very much enjoyed (and talked about!) by all the children and staff.  We look forward to offering the project again in the near future.