22 Jul Green-fingered pupils at Essex ‘Sapling School’ celebrate first anniversary of outdoor learning programme
Lakelands Primary School, part of the Chelmsford Learning Partnership multi-academy trust, is celebrating the first anniversary of its outdoor learning programme.
Affectionately known as ‘Sapling School’ due to the potential for the young trees to grow into a fully-fledged forest with time, pupils at the Essex primary school have been embracing the outdoors, building their own natural habitat from scratch while learning vital lessons on their ecological environment.
Koulla Anslow, Headteacher at Lakelands Primary School said: “Many of our pupils lack access to green spaces at home, so we created an outdoor learning environment for everyone to benefit from. Starting from scratch, pupils planted saplings and tended their own spaces, fostering a sense of ownership. It’s a wonderful way to teach our children about the importance of nature and wildlife while having fun outside of the classroom. The parent and carer community has been incredibly receptive to the idea, who have loved seeing their children return home happy albeit slightly muddy as well!”
The school’s outdoor learning initiative has also placed a keen focus on using environmental practices in order to develop the designated space. Pupils have recycled drainpipes and made use of sustainable materials as they have planted their young forest, learning about the benefits of re-using materials to preserve a unique ecosystem.
Paul Banks, Chief Executive Officer at the Chelmsford Learning Partnership said: “Sapling School embodies everything that we as a Trust value in terms of providing a high quality and inclusive education alongside essential lessons on sustainability and local wildlife which dovetails wonderfully with curriculum learning about lifecycles and habitats.
“Since introducing the Sapling School initiative to the children’s learning, their confidence and curiosity have grown due to the hands-on activity which gives them the opportunity see their hard work literally grow before their eyes. Every child at Lakelands Primary School has the chance to take part in outdoor learning and it is a pleasure to see them explore the wonderful world around them while they learn to nurture and care for their own natural habitats.”
With Sapling School reaching its first major milestone, staff and pupils at Lakelands Primary School are looking forward to caring for the outdoor space for many years to come with the goal of seeing their saplings grow into a heathy and vibrant Forest School.
