Outdoor Learning and Larkhill Rise

Our Outdoor Learning sessions are undertaken by the class teacher and support by the class teaching assistant. Each half term every class will be building on prior knowledge and learning new skills.

Community Big Dig:

On the 11th June Miss Pounder, helped by some lovely teachers, church members and the PTA, held a community big dig project. We were blown away with the amount of volunteers made up of pupils, parents, friends of our school families, nursery children, ex pupils of St Paul’s and volunteers for St Paul’s church. We removed lots of Himalayan Balsam which is an invasive species of plant from the rind road to create a bee corridor after the Eco Warriors came to the conclusion that there were not enough flowers for the bees and maybe this is why they sting the children. The children also got to do some craft work with Claire from church and even enter a colouring competition held by Civic Pride. Children got to share Larkhill Rise Forest School with their families and friends and even enjoy a sticky s’more to keep them going.

Permission:

Parents must complete the permission form and discuss the Code of Conduct with their child. The Code of Conduct outlines the types of activities that take place in our outdoor learning sessions and the safety rules we abide by at Larkhill Rise Forest school.

Children will need to have a pair of wellington boots, a pair of long trousers (no jeans, shorts, skirts or dresses), a long sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve jumper and a waterproof coat and a pair of waterproof trousers. In cold weather hats and gloves are recommended as our outdoor learning sessions take place in all weathers except high winds, storms and ice. In warm weather sun hats and sun cream is recommended.

More about Larkhill Rise…

Larkhill Rise Forest School is a wonderful facility for the school and is intended to take children out of the classroom and help them learn in a different environment. This facility is used primarily by St Paul’s, Bright Futures nursery school and Alder Grange Community Technology School, but it will also be available for use by local charities.

Our Forest School sessions started in January 2015 in an area of school grounds called Larkhill Rise.

Larkhill Rise was developed as an outdoor classroom in 2005, but sadly the area was underused and staff who were new to school, were unaware of this amazing resource on our doorstep.

In 2013 Larkhill Rise was redeveloped through a series of Big Dig Projects which involved staff, pupils, parents, governors and members of the local community.

Larkhill Raise remains a community resource and from September 2014 was relaunched and has been used as part of our 0-16 Campus by Bright Futures Nursery, St Paul’s and Alder Grange to deliver Forest School Sessions and Outdoor Learning to practically support the curriculum.

Larkhill Rise Forest School includes an outdoor classroom, mud slide, mud pit, climbing ropes, tyre swing, fire pit, mud kitchen, pond, outdoor composting toilet, allotment, polytunnel and a willow tunnel.

The land has been cleared and trees trimmed thanks to parents, children, staff and the local community during our ‘Big Dig’ events. The area is fully enclosed with fencing. Buildings and facilities will be added as money becomes available.

Parent Nusrat Karim said: “Larkhill Rise Forest School is a wonderful resource for my children. I am delighted that the schools and nursery are proactively providing different learning activities to engage them and boost their confidence.”

MP Jake Berry said: “St Paul’s school is a real example of how to make your school family an integral part of the wider Rossendale community. This outstanding project has drawn in local parents, pupils and teachers, along with other local people who are working together to improve the learning environment”.