Springmead School near Frome has already begun work on creating its brand-new forest school area in the school grounds, designed especially for outdoor learning.
Introducing children to bushcraft and forest school experiences has a powerful and lasting impact on their development. As a rural school, Springmead offers all pupils regular bushcraft and forest school sessions, giving them the chance to learn, explore and grow in a way that classrooms alone cannot offer.
With woods, rivers, streams and open fields right on the doorstep, outdoor learning becomes part of everyday life rather than an occasional trip out. Children develop practical skills, confidence and resilience as they discover how to work and thrive in nature, whether building shelters, identifying plants or understanding how wildlife lives.
Hands-on experiences spark curiosity and teamwork, encouraging pupils to problem-solve, take safe risks and communicate effectively. Staff at Springmead also note that time outdoors improves emotional wellbeing and supports positive relationships across the school.
The sessions are led by forest school trained staff and expert bushcraft leaders, ensuring children gain new skills safely and step by step.
Work is now underway on the school’s dedicated forest school area, which will provide even more opportunities for pupils to investigate the natural world that surrounds them. It promises to be a dynamic new space where bushcraft and forest school truly bring learning to life at Springmead.
