Gruffalo spotting, bear hunting, dragon chasing and dinosaur tracking are just a few of the fantastical and magical activities on offer for children at The Chelsea Nursery, as they get to try Forest School for the first time.
The Chelsea Nursery, part of Cameron Vale School, regularly gives its young pupils the opportunity to visit the Forest School at Barnes Common where they enjoy marshmallow toasting, den building, puddle jumping, mud making, singing and playing aplenty.
Nestled off the King’s Road in Chelsea, parents may not expect the independent prep school to offer a Scandinavian-style immersive Forest School experience – but that is exactly what this hidden gem of a school is doing on a weekly basis.
Welcoming children from six months to eleven years old, Cameron Vale School prides itself on small classes which allow each child to shine, a close-knit family atmosphere and a pupil-led curriculum which aims to celebrate the individual and strives to unlock each child’s true potential.
In partnership with Tree House Education, a southwest London based Forest School specialist company, the Cameron Vale team take weekly class trips to local nature reserve, Barnes Common, where the reception and lower school pupils get to play outdoors and learn about the natural environment. Because the children have loved it so much, the school will soon be offering the activity to its youngest pupils at The Chelsea Nursery.
Alison Melrose, Headteacher at Cameron Vale, said: “We pride ourselves on offering a truly unique learning environment which cultivates success and ensures that every child has an individually tailored, positive experience. Our forest school programme aims to develop independence, build self-confidence and resilience, all at a young age. It also fosters an understanding of risk, while encouraging problem-solving and teamwork.
“Pupils and parents alike have found the forest school to be a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable way to get closer to nature. Given our location in the heart of Chelsea, we love sharing stories and photos of our outdoor adventures with visitors – they often can’t quite believe it. It really is a truly wonderful addition to our curriculum, and we’re delighted that we are able to offer the Forest School experience to our nursery children too.”
Weekly woodland sessions align with the school’s five core values, which encourages its children to be curious, courageous, collaborative, creative and to think critically.
Alison added: “To succeed in the 21st century people need those soft skills. Forest schooling helps children to collaborate, communicate and take risks within a safe environment. It is our responsibility to prepare children for a modern world and a future workplace, as well as teaching them about sustainability and the environment around them.”
Open 50 weeks in the year, The Chelsea Nursery is a nursery school for boys and girls from six months to four years old, with a mission to help each and every child be their best and develop a life-long love of learning.
Cameron Vale and The Chelsea Nursery are part of a world-class family of schools, owned and managed by Forfar Education, a company that specialises in the education of children. Accepting children from the ages of six months to 11, both Cameron Vale and The Chelsea Nursery put the child’s enjoyment of education at the heart of everything they do.
To find out more about forest schooling or to book a visit and tour of Cameron Vale or The Chelsea Nursery visit: https://www.cameronvaleschool.com/, email [email protected], or call 020 7352 4040.
