Forest School & Ecology in Nursery & KindyOur Place-Based Curriculum & Forest School

At Barrow Hills, our 33 acres of woodland, including three dedicated Forest School areas, provide a unique and enriching environment for learning from Nursery through to Year 8. Children in Pre-Prep enjoy at least one weekly Forest School session, led by our qualified team, embracing all weathers with warm clothing and wellies.

Our woodland is teeming with wildlife, from jays and squirrels to deer and foxes, creating a stimulating, multi-sensory environment that sparks imagination, discovery and a lifelong connection with nature.  Outdoor play and learning also enhances the development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills; it’s a key reason for our assessment scores at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage consistently well exceeding national expectations.

We nurture a supportive learning environment where pupils are encouraged to take measured risks and try new things, allowing growth through these experiences. By stepping slightly outside their comfort zones, pupils develop confidence and resilience as they learn to manage uncertainty in a supportive environment.

Ecology: Nurturing a Sustainable Future

To strengthen our connection with the natural world, we have invested in a wide range of ecological initiatives, shaped by pupil feedback, and embraced our natural environment as a rich source of inspiration and education. In 2024, Barrow Hills was shortlisted in the Independent School of the Year awards for Environmental Achievement.

We have up-skilled cohorts of ‘Ecology Captains’ in sustainability, biodiversity, and local and global ecology. This enthusiastic and growing group of children thrives on having agency and stewardship over our environmental initiatives. Peer-to-peer learning is now substantial, with younger pupils looking up to their older peers. Eco Warriors and Gardening Club are seen as exciting and valuable roles within the school.

A standout project has been the creation of our willow dome, an outdoor learning space for Prep children. This initiative complemented our Eco Schools Accreditation for 2024, where Barrow Hills was awarded another Green Flag, with Distinction, the highest possible level. Additionally, we received a ‘Highly Commended’ award from the Primary Schools Green Awards.

For us, nature is more than a setting – it is a teacher, a playground, and a source of inspiration. Every child benefits from hands-on learning, enabling their academic, social and emotional growth, and giving them the chance to make a real difference in caring for our world.

“If you lie on the floor and look up into the trees, you can see things you’ve never seen before!”

 

“Finding bugs and worms is my favourite thing… did you know that worms breathe through their skin?”

Join us to experience everyday school life here at Barrow Hills

Personal visits usually last around 90-minutes including a meeting with our Head, Mr John Towers, and opportunities to meet the children and tour the beautiful school.
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