Forest Schools Project

Corby Forest Schools Project

Corby Forest Schools Project is funded through Corby Borough Council, Corby Learning Partnership, Ernest Cook Trust and the Forestry Commission.

 

Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment. Forest school originated in Scandinavia in the 1950’s as a way of teaching children about their natural environment. The group visit the same local woodland site on a regular basis throughout the year, regardless of the weather. Each session is led by a qualified Forest School Leader and is based on the skills and needs of the group.

 

We aim to follow the national curriculum in an outdoor environment.

Activities will include: -

 

• Conservation Projects  

• Woodland Identification

• Campcraft Skills

• Tool Safety

• Shelter Building

 

Rebecca Bishop, the Forest School Leader, currently delivers forest school sessions in Fineshade Wood, located in the Rockingham Forest area. There are 23 primary and secondary schools within the Corby Borough, of which 21 have taken part in ten-week programmes.

 

Corby Forest Schools is a pioneering project that is working closely with the North Northants Forestry Commission, which has donated 26 acres of woodland to the project. Each of the Corby schools involved in the project has received partial funding to train one person within the school as a forest school leader, so they are able to develop and sustain their own forest school site. Currently seventeen schools have developed their own forest school site and are delivering sessions with their own trained Leader.

 

If you would like more information on the project or would like to be a part of a Forest School Taster Day please contact Rebecca on the below contact details.

 

Eskdale Allotment Project

 

Corby Forest School Project is also working in partnership with Corby Borough Council, BTCV, Groundwork and the Heartlands Primary Care Trust to restore the Corby Ennerdale Terrace Allotments, now referred to as the Eskdale Allotments, back to their former glory. We hope to give our children and students a pride in their town and skills for better lives. The allotments are being cleared, cleaned and improved to provide a safe and pleasurable gardening experience for all Corby schools. Our aim is for this area to become a true community resource and local residents will also have the opportunity to work on an allotment plot and be able to take part in numerous volunteering opportunities. These can include day-to-day weeding, planting and watering, developing special projects such as planting a sensory garden or creating a nature trail. Being involved in this project will not only improve each individual’s health and well-being but will also increase skills, confidence and social circle.

 

Aims of the Corby Forest School and Allotment Project over the next three years;

 

• Developing an area of woodland and allotment as a learning resource for the Corby schools and the surrounding community

• Developing an inclusive, high-quality environmental and health education programme

• Developing a range of high-quality training/support activities for all workers, volunteers and teachers in the partnership schools

 

If you would like to become a volunteer of the Eskdale Allotment Project or have more detailed information, please contact Rebecca on the below contact details.

 

 

Rebecca Bishop

Corby Forest Schools and Project Officer

Corby Learning Partnership

 

Mob: 07894 885791

Email: rebecca.bishop@corby.gov.uk