Windmill Woodland

Aim

Our project is to create a natural "woodland" learning environment in response to COVID 19 and the importance of being outdoors.

                            FULWELL  INFANT  SCHOOL ACADEMY

We are a community based infant school in Fulwell, Sunderland. We have 360 children on role aged 3-7 years, supported by 54 members of staff. We would like to develop, organise and run a forest school. This project requires high levels of planting, fencing, an outdoor pod for group use and a fire pit.

OUTDOOR LEARNING

As a result of COVID-19, we identified maximising the use of our school grounds. This project will support adult/child mental health, reduce stress, developing interest and understanding of the natural world and our connections with it. Many of our children need support with emotional well-being.

Recently, children learn outside at every opportunity. This supported the reduction of COVID cases within our community. Outdoor activity counters a sedentary existence in which obesity is increasingly causing concern. Our complex SEND children benefit immeasurably from outdoor learning.

 The project will build the understanding of the importance of our countryside and deepen understanding of environmental issues and long term solutions. 

PROJECT PLAN

We will take advice from experts. We will seek guidance when encountering challenges in order to successfully resolve them. We will take feedback from users and continually evaluate provision. Our expertise in advertising, in communicating every aspect of the provision  will develop. Reflection, evaluation and improvement of the Woodland area will be used in future plans.

BENEFITS OF PROJECT 

The benefits will be across the school community and beyond. 

We would like to offer our children opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in woodland, a natural environment with trees and planting. We have the space to achieve this. Children will learn extensively about the natural world through exploration and through this will develop communication skills and improve their fine and gross motor skills. They will become aware of the means to protect our planet and the impact each individual has on it. They will be equipped with love and respect for the outdoors. They will begin to understand resilience and risk taking. 

We will phase the development, supporting it through fund raising and applying for grants.

Initially we will need:

• Outdoor classroom/community base with heating, lighting and water
• Ground works including winding paths, changes of level and fencing to secure the area.
• Planting for a natural deciduous woodland area
• Evergreen trees for winter structure and shelter
• Standing stones
• Campfire area with seating and a fire pit
• Bird watch hide

Our target is £25,000 which will achieve the woodland hut seen below. Any additional funds will support the planting and fencing needed in the first phase.

This is a new project of great community importance.

We would really appreciate any support you can offer. PLEASE DONATE!

This project successfully funded on 16th July 2021