Outdoor Learning and Eco School

Forest School

Forest school is committed to our outdoor learning which takes place in our woodland, pond area and throughout our school grounds to support the development of a relationship between our children and the natural world. Our belief is that being outdoors has huge benefit for our children, both physically and mentally, and our forest school taps into those benefits by educating children in the fresh air.

Within our Forest School lessons we aim to:

· Build confidence, independence and learn about our world around us

· Feel empathy for others and nature

· Improve physical fitness

· Provide health benefits

· Improve mental health

· Learn by experience

· Expose ourselves to manageable risk

· Improve sleep and mood
· Learn about spiritual meaning

Eco Club

Euxton Primrose Hill are very proud to be part of Eco-Schools which recognises our commitment to developing strategies that sustain and enhance resources for the environment. Our aim is to create an environmental awareness amongst our pupils, parents and neighbourhood community by promoting learning and strategies to improve our world; this enables the pupils to be create strategies to tackle environmental problems. A different group of Eco warriors formed from year groups 1-6 meet up for a seven week block each term (this allows a greater number of children to be involved) providing an opportunity for the pupils to develop leadership skills, improve well-being, confidence, knowledge and environmental awareness.

Throughout the year we;

· share ideas

· complete an annual environment audit

· make recycle crafts

· plant around our school grounds and in our gardens

· monitor our energy and waste

· encourage wildlife

· learn about our amazing world

· arrange visitors to talk to the whole school

· fundraise

· monitor and recycle our plastic and paper waste

Enhancing the school environment

During 2021-22, Eco club’s focus was on improving the outdoor environment within school. To facilitate this, a series of outdoor days were organised where parents/carers came in at the weekend with their children to build, repair, plant, clean, weed, resurface, prune, paint etc. Donations from parents and organisations have enabled us to greatly enhance our learning environment. This has continued into 2022-23 as it is a very popular event, enjoyed by adults and children alike! 

Tree Planting and Wildflower Meadow

Over the last 2 years, the school (with the help of year 5, a number of after school club children and eco club) has planted 138 trees and hedgerows. As these grow over the years to come, children will be able to witness the miracle of nature up close and contribute to increasing biodiversity within our grounds. Alongside the trees, a section of the school grounds is being allowed to return to nature, creating a wonderful meadow during the summer months. 

Eco-Schools
Euxton Primrose Hill has gained recognition for our outstanding commitment to the environment by achieving the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award for a number of years now.

Creative use of waste

Over the last few years, our school community has prevented thousands of pieces of plastic from ending up in landfill by creating eco bricks. These have been used in our award winning entries at the Chorley Flower Show and are now part of our KS1 reading bench and will be used to create a planter in the eco area.

Competitions

Our Eco club has had a very successful few years taking part in the Chorley Flower Show. In 2021, we were joint first in the schools/organisations small garden category. In 2022, we did even better, being best in show! On both occasions, a number of children returned to school during the summer holidays to work on our design and entry - real dedication 😁. Each entry focused on reusing items that would otherwise be thrown away with a particular emphasis on reducing plastic pollution in 2022.

Pupil Involvement

A number of children have become very passionate about keeping our grounds and the local community litter free and love nothing more than to go litter picking even in their lunchtimes! They even love to clear leaves and acorns (of which we have an abundance due to our wonderful mature oak trees!).

School pond

Although in a process of rejuvenation at the moment, our pond is a haven for wildlife, a breeding ground for frogs and a regular stopover for ducks each year. 

Recycling Bins

Eco Club have introduced a number of recycling bins: plastic (recyclable), dental, pens, hard plastics and soft plastics (in out of school club). Within school now, we now recycle batteries, paper, plastic, dental and all forms of pens, helping to reduce waste.