EDUCATION
Branching out – Teesside High ' s Forest School helps develop selfesteem , confidence and social skills .
wild
Out in the
Pupils loving the outdoors after school investment
Teesside High School pupils continue to enjoy engaging with the great outdoors thanks to significant postpandemic investment .
Following the first Covid-19 lockdown , it was clear that nature had been a source of solace for parents and pupils alike , with families interacting with their local surroundings in new and different ways . For this reason , the Eaglescliffe-based school invested further in its outdoor education curriculum , boosting Forest School sessions and outdoor enrichment opportunities for all .
Trailblazing – adventurous pupils gather round the campfire .
Forest School has been a regular part of the curriculum at Teesside High School since 2013 . The outdoor classroom is situated in a stunning , on-site woodland , home to wild deer , badger setts and a variety of birds who call the school ’ s handmade bird boxes home .
Through carefully planned sessions , children across the school in both Prep and Senior departments take part in Forest School and outdoor and adventurous activities throughout the year , enabling them to excel in all areas of their personal , academic and social development . The activities can include scavenger hunts , flora and fauna identification , imaginative play , and tasks which help build skills for life such as using woodland tools , learning how to navigate , building secure shelters and creating fire safely .
Forest School leader at Teesside High , Julia Hopkins , said : “ It is very important to us that Forest School is an important part of daily life at school , not simply a project bolted on to an already busy curriculum .
“ Through Forest School , our pupils are able to develop a lifelong love and understanding of the natural environment while fulfilling the core purposes of the Forest School ethos , namely , developing their self-esteem , confidence and social skills .”
The Forest School occupies five acres
High life – the Forest School occupies five acres on the riverside site .
on the school ’ s riverside site and boasts areas for live music making , drama performances and science experiments .
Teesside High School head Kirsty Mackenzie is a firm believer in the importance of learning outdoors . She also introduced a wellbeing dog to the school this year - George , the black labrador - who is already proving a popular addition to pupils ’ outdoor classes .
She said : “ A big part of our outdoor sessions is that pupils of all ages learn to take and manage risks and learn to succeed with small , achievable tasks . Our pupils love exploring the woodland here , from creating masterpieces in the mud kitchen and performing on the woodland stage to learning how to build dens and mastering key survival skills . There are no limits to what learning outdoors can do for our children .”
Enquire now to join Teesside High School . Call 01642 782095 or email admissions @ teessidehigh . co . uk to arrange a tour appointment today .
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