Lawn Manor Academy is taking its educational offerings to new heights with the establishment of a forest school and orchard.
This unique initiative sets the school apart, providing students with a valuable outdoor learning space and the opportunity to give back to the local community in the future.
The development of the forest school area commenced last year but has recently gained momentum with the planting of apple, pear, and cherry trees to create the orchard. Additionally, the existing pond has been re-dug, further enhancing the natural environment.
Led by Geography teacher and Forest School lead, Lee Horsford, the forest school afterschool club has been diligently transforming the area, which was previously overgrown and in need of attention. Weekly meetings of the club have proven fruitful, resulting in the creation of an ecological area and serene space where students can engage with nature.
Explaining the vision behind the project, Lee shared, “The trees came from the Woodland Trust and are all native species. We’ve planted one section as a defined wood and we will have another section designed as an exploratory wood where pupils can walk in and around the trees and learn.
“A lot of the trees we’ve just planted are young and so it will be a couple of years before they start producing fruit. When they do, we plan to use the fruit in cookery lessons and also plant a vegetable patch. We’ll make soup and pies and donate them to charities that support the homeless in Swindon.”
At the heart of the orchard stands an apple tree, symbolising the Jubilee and marking a significant milestone. The recent progress has been made possible by a generous donation from former Governor Nigel Cox, who contributed in honor of his retirement.
Already, the forest school and orchard have become instrumental in various subject areas across the curriculum. Geography fieldwork, science studies of ecosystems, math lessons on ratios, and English classes utilizing the tranquil space for reading sessions are just a few examples of how the area is benefiting students’ learning experiences.
Furthermore, the forest school and orchard play a central role in fostering collaboration between Lawn Manor Academy and local primary schools. Joint planning sessions are held to align lessons and complement learning, ensuring a smooth transition for new students joining Lawn Manor Academy in Year Seven.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have this space and utilise it to enhance our students’ learning while building strong connections with our neighboring primary schools,” emphasised Lee.
As part of the transition process, primary school pupils who will be enrolling at Lawn Manor Academy in the upcoming academic year will spend an entire day at the forest school. This allows them to familiarise themselves with the surroundings and create positive learning memories before starting in September.
Lawn Manor Academy, affiliated with the Ascend Learning Trust, continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities. To learn more about the school and its initiatives, please visit www.lawnmanor.org.
