Eco-School at Cransley

School sessions focus on children learning through hands-on experiences within a woodland setting. This involves activities such as tool use, tree climbing, den making, exploring plants and wildlife, story-telling and woodland art and crafts. The children also learn how to build and light a campfire to cook snacks.  

Forest school sessions are led by our Level 3 qualified Forest School teachers and support each child’s learning through developing practical skills and social interactions, communication skills and the physical development of children. The types of activities involved aim to promote children’s resilience, self-esteem, confidence, creativity and independence.

These are vital life-skills which provide a solid foundation to progress onto school.   

Our children safely explore the natural environment secure in the knowledge that adults are close by to support them, while still allowing them the freedom to make discoveries independently. 

Outdoors exploration supports learning and development through play in the open air where each child is provided with opportunities to investigate and explore. They learn to problem solve and use their imagination and creativity. Many of the garden features have been chosen to improve co-ordination and confidence. There are obstacles such as balancing beams, bridges and stepping stones.

Our outdoor spaces are designed for pleasure where children can touch, explore and learn about the natural world. The aim of the outdoor garden is to encourage children to explore the different sensations outdoors – colours, textures, smells and sounds.

Outdoors at Cransley, children are encouraged to be in touch with the natural world as they work with a variety of natural materials, gardening and growing activities. They enjoy water play, take part in flower arranging and learn to care for living things.

Eco-Schools Green Flag Award 2022

Our beautiful, green-fingered, mud-stained Junior School Eco-warriors have earned an international accreditation this academic year, recognising their amazing work in making their school more environmentally friendly and raising eco-awareness in fellow pupils. 

Eco-Schools is an international education programme that prompts young people to explore sustainability and climate change and take action. 

Our Eco Council, and staff champions Mrs Micallef and Mrs Hanson, were keen to conduct an environmental review, assessing how eco-friendly our school is.  They reviewed everything from the school’s recycling practices, to energy usage, to how environmental themes are covered in classrooms. Building on their findings, the pupils and Mrs Micallef and Mrs Hanson planned a year of activities that would up their green-credentials. 

The group connected their work to 3 Eco-Schools topics: Healthy living environments (with the development of our two glorious sensory gardens - thanks, Parents!); Water life (from pond-dipping activities on the Belmont Estate to a Beach clean in Formby, and a fact- filled trip to the Blue Planet in between); and Waste reduction (working with our Chef Ed to minimise food and material waste, recycling used glue-sticks and pens, and using reclaimed material in our play areas).

All we need now is a flag-pole…

Join us in the forest

If your Nursery or School setting would like to use our Forest School facility with us, or if you want to come along with your child to have a try, fill out the form below and one of our team will get back to you.