Children are enjoying learning in the great outdoors with a new forest area at their school.
The Maidensbridge Primary School, in Kingswinford, is developing a Forest Schools area to allow the pupils to discover more about the outdoors and learn about taking risks.
The new area includes tall trees, campfire facilities and an outdoor adventure playground and is part of a national Forest Schools initiative.
Forest Schools are a new and innovative approach to learning, working on a philosophy of encouraging and inspiring individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.
The area at Maidensbridge has been created from part of the school’s playing fields.
Pupils at the school will also use it to learn about subjects such as the changing seasons and plant and animal life in the natural world.
As well as being used for lessons, it is hoped Forest School sessions will eventually be offered to other groups in the local community.
Helen Wildboar, Forest Schools leader at Maidensbridge, said: “We are out with the children in all weathers and we have supported them to build ladders, tepees and platforms in the trees.
“We want to give children the chance to take risks and discover new things and everything we do as part of Forest Schools is led by the children.”
The project has been made possible with the help of a capital allocation grant from Brierley Hill area committee.
The school had originally asked for £2,930 to buy equipment, but councillors were so impressed by the project, this amount was increased to £4,000.