January 2025
In addition to the original programme we now offer a cycle of activities where the aim is to use the wild spaces to deliver aspects of the school curriculum. So at the autumn planning meeting, staff are invited to suggest areas they would like to cover during these sessions.
This year, 2025, we have ‘Tracks and Trails’ along with environmental artwork for Saplings class . Seedlings will be making some tree bunting as they get to know Merton Wood. Oaks have just planted trees from the school tree nursery in St. Peter’s Pightle and Acorns have planted acorns, sweet chestnut and hazel in the school tree nursery.
For the curriculum support cycle this year we gathered ideas from Grove Woods for writing haiku and Oaks will be writing in role selling a place in a bug hotel to a beetle! Seedlings will be looking for evidence of creatures that live in woods and designing small shelters for them, supporting their work in science. Acorns will be collecting teddy bears in the wood for a picnic.
Original tree Care Programme from 2012
School endorsement
To whom it may concern,
Blyth Woods have been working alongside our school since 2012. We have set up a rolling programme of activities allowing every child in school to access work with the trust throughout each academic year. This has proven itself to be a valuable part of our curriculum and creates much enjoyment and learning throughout the school.
Our children gain hands on experience of the process of growing and caring for trees. Throughout their time in school they work through the whole process; from collecting acorns to plant, caring for young trees before eventually planting their saplings into a new environment. The children also learn the importance of the ongoing needs of the developing plants as we have the tree nursery here on site, gardening club keep a watchful eye on the needs of the saplings, watering and weeding when needed.
This work we do with the trust provides children with valuable hands on learning experiences and also a link to their surrounding community. We always invite parents to join the events that happen in and around school, allowing the whole community to be a part of this valuable project. This often involves extended family members too. Feedback from both children and adults is always positive and they are always keen to return for the next activity. Many of our older children have been doing this throughout most of their time here at Wenhaston alongside a family member, creating a keep sake for them both as they move onto secondary school.
We feel this project has become an integral part of the education we offer, as the pupils may well bring their children to our school in the future. We currently have parents here that were Wenhaston pupils themselves. In the future it could our current pupils passing on their memories of planting and nurturing to future generations, therefore highlighting valuable community links such our link with Blyth Woods.
Mrs J Bowles Miss C Welby
Head teacher Class teacher
Blyth Woods 