Sept '22 - Jan '23:
- Reception have been enjoying Forest School sessions on Monday afternoons with Mr Grobel, braving, indeed thriving in, the autumn and winter weather!
- other year groups have explored new areas such as Otford Palace Field and Palace Park Wood where kind members of the local community (Parish Council and heritage groups) have spoken to the children about various aspects (e.g. historical / ecological) of these environments. See photos for more detail.
March - July '22
Chalk Pit now off-limits until ash trees with ash die-back disease are dealt with - most likely not until next year.
However, other local spaces used instead - Oxenhill Shaw, Palace Park Wood, Otford Palace Garden, Otford rec, footpaths/river near Shoreham, fields behind One Stop.
Forest Explorers make big bug hotel next to pond.
Been a busy and fun-filled Spring and Summer!
Jan - Feb 2022:
- restrictions ease and we head off-site again with Y2 and 4;
- 11 birdboxes (some with cameras) are installed around the school site; Forest Explorers make birdfeeders from recycled materials and take part in Big Schools Birdwatch.
2020/21
With Covid disrupting our usual plans, this year's activities stay onsite.
Term 2
Y1: bug-hunting, making mucky bugs, bird-feeders, birdsong, Christmas games / decorations
Y6: autumn scavenger hunt, leaf identification, Christmas decorations
Terms 3 and 4
Lockdown: key worker children are in school and make the most of any opportunities to take learning outdoors, including: learning semaphore, team-building games, craft activities, orienteering, whittling, obstacle courses.
Terms 5 and 6
Y4: Egyptian-linked activities (making hieroglyphs, mummies, making scarab beetles, bug-hunting, making papyrus), team-building games, orienteering, tree ID trail
Y5: orienteering, team-building games, planting
Y6: orienteering, compasses, tree ID trail, pond-dipping, making papyrus, bug hotels, team-building games
September 2021
A slight easing of restrictions allows for some off-site excursions to the Chalk Pit, the Scout Hut and Palace Park Wood - see Photo Gallery from Whole Class Sessions.
December 2021
Increase in cases and Omicron variant restricts ability to go off-site again.