At Barrow Hills, we are fortunate to have 33 acres of woodland, including three dedicated Forest School areas. This unique environment is an enriching and vital part of our children’s learning, from Nursery through to Year 8.
Children in Pre-Prep receive at least one weekly Forest School lesson, led by our fully qualified team. We embrace all weather conditions, pulling on warm tracksuits, waterproofs, coats, and wellies. As Wainwright famously said:
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”
Forest School fosters deep learning. Parents often share on the enthusiastic comments shared by their children about all they discover:
Outdoor play also enhances language development. Research findings – and our own practice – demonstrate a richer vocabulary and stronger communication skills in children who spend time learning outside. Our Forest School sessions advance both verbal and non-verbal communication.
We provide real-life opportunities to develop independence, self-esteem, risk-taking, and a can-do attitude. Children have space to run and jump, building their gross motor skills, while also refining their fine motor skills by collecting and studying natural treasures such as leaves and fir cones.
Our grounds are home to an abundance of wildlife, including jays, rabbits, squirrels, buzzards, deer, foxes, lizards, and more – all of which create a stimulating and multi-sensory environment for play and learning.
Forest School enhances subjects across the curriculum. In Pre-Prep, learning about the anatomy of birds in the classroom becomes a hands-on activity of building a giant nest in our woodland. While some may see the stinging nettle as just a weed, our children brew nettle tea and discover how the plant supports wildlife, especially butterflies.
Older children also benefit from outdoor learning. Deeper understanding is achieved when classroom theory is put into practice. Our diverse grounds – home to multiple habitats and ecosystems – are used for science, geography, history, art, and biology, as well as for field studies and data collection.
To strengthen our connection with the natural world, we have invested in a wide range of ecological initiatives, shaped by pupil feedback.
We have upskilled cohorts of ‘Ecology Captains’ in sustainability, biodiversity, and local and global ecology. This enthusiastic and growing group thrives on having agency and stewardship over our environmental initiatives. Peer-to-peer learning is now substantial, with younger pupils looking up to their older peers. Eco Warriors and Gardening Club are seen as exciting and valuable roles within the school.
One standout project was the creation of our willow dome, an outdoor learning space for Prep children. This initiative complemented our Eco Schools Accreditation for 2024, where Barrow Hills was awarded another Green Flag – with Distinction, the highest possible level. Additionally, we received a ‘Highly Commended’ award from the Primary Schools Green Awards. Our forest initiatives also saw us shortlisted for the Independent School of the Year Award in 2024.
At Barrow Hills, children develop a joyful appreciation of the natural world and a strong sense of responsibility for protecting it.