Washacre Primary School forest area gives children 'joy'

Washacre Primary School has seen a transformation in the wooded area, which was previously overgrown and full of ivy, into a place for the students to utilise.

The Washacre Parent Teacher Association (PTA) applied for a grant for the forest area from National Lottery Awards for All, a scheme which aims to support projects involving people and communities.

They were awarded the grant of £10,000 in June last year and set about improving it.

The students have said they feel calm when using the space.

School business manager at Washacre, Claire Campbell, 45, said: “We’ve always had the forest area at the school, but it was overgrown, full of ivy.

“It is the size of a football field.”

The area, which is at the back of the school, bordering the back of some nearby houses, has been utilised for activities.

Claire said: “The children have been building and lighting fires and then roasting marshmallows on them, building dens and doing mindfulness sessions.

“The children have often reflected on how calm they feel when using the space.”

The forest area will soon be opened to the community for sessions.

The area won’t be just used for the children.

Claire added: “We want to promote this in the community as well. We want everyone to be able to use it, and will be having some sessions in the coming months.”

Photos and videos on the school’s Facebook page show the progression of the forest, with caretaker Colin Jones carrying out works to improve it.

The area has been transformed since last summer.

These have included building a pond from scratch, and Claire highlighted Colin’s hard work.

She said: “He’s done a huge amount of work.

“He started working on it when the grant came through and hasn’t stopped. It’ll be a never-ending project, we’ll always be thinking of new ways to improve it.”

If you’d like to contact Washacre Primary School about the forest area, their number is 01942634756.