Forest To Help Children's Knowledge Grow
5 October 2012
Professor of Teacher Education, Des Hewitt
Through this collaboration we intend to work together to come up with new ways of teaching using the forest, or other spaces outside of the classroom, to inspire children's learning.
”Dew Hewitt
A group of primary school teachers and education academics have come together under the canopy of The National Forest to explore how they can broaden the use of the natural environment to inspire their children's learning.
More than 100 teachers from 20 schools found within the forest joined together with academics from the University of Derby at Albert Village Community Primary School on October 1 (2012) for the first meeting of the collaborative group of The National Forest Network of Schools. The group aims to explore how they can best use the space and natural resources of the forest to create a sense of awe and wonder among school children.
The group which also included representatives from collaborators South Derbyshire Council Environmental Education Project, Groundwork Leicestershire and the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom took part in a number of hands-on workshops where they gained confidence in developing different and inspiring forms of learning.
Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Derby, Des Hewitt, said: "Opening children's senses to the world around them is known to support their vocabulary and attention development. Through this collaboration we intend to work together to come up with new ways of teaching using the forest, or other spaces outside of the classroom, to inspire children's learning.
"Students on our Education and Primary PGCE teaching degrees will also be encouraged to get involved with this approach through this exciting collaboration.
"It was fantastic to hear teachers saying, 'I'm going to view outdoor learning in a different way and I'm going back to school to plan some new opportunities for my class.'"
Carol Price Headteacher at Packington Church of England Primary School said "It was a superb event to launch the collaboration between local schools and organisations which can only benefit children living in the vicinity of The National Forest. It was great to have hands-on experiences to reinvigorate and widen the use of the outdoors, and especially the use of the forest, in our teaching."
Sue Anderson, Community Liaison Officer from The National Forest, said: "We are delighted with the enthusiasm and determination shown by teaching staff to be part of this collaborative work and find new ways to use and discover the forest. We hope that it will be an inspiration to they and other teachers."
For more information on The National Forest visit www.nationalforest.org/
