Avanti Park: After School Forest School
We run Forest School clubs after school at Avanti Park School in Frome on Tuesdays and Thursdays for children in years 1-3. We make use of the lovely area of trees at the back of the school and occasionally the A-frame shelter and all clubs run until 5pm.
Bridging Nature run a Forest School club on Mondays for children in years 4-6.
Our tuesday and thursday clubs are currently fully booked.
Please join a waitinglist below and we will let you know as soon as a space becomes available.
When?
We run a club for children in years 4-6 on Mondays, and clubs for children in year 1-3 on both Tuesday and Thursday from 3.15 - 5pm.
We will collect the children from their class and will return them to the pond-gate for pick up at 5pm.
What to expect
Our Forest School will give children the opportunity to unwind and follow their interests outdoors, whether it is chilling out in the hammocks, cooking over the fire or using hand tools for a craft project.
Children will be encouraged to take risks (eg climbing trees and using sharp tools) in a safe and supported environment, building confidence and allowing children to learn how to manage risk effectively. As the weeks progress and we observe the children we will develop the activities in-line with their interests and skills.
For more information about Forest school and it's benefit please visit the Forest School Association website.
During each session we will provide a snack, often cooked over the fire.
Cost
Sessions work out at £11.25 per session per child, paid for as a half-term block in advance. Campfire snacks and hot chocolate will be provided (dietary requirements catered for). Siblings are entitled to a 10% discount.
NB. If your child decides that the club is not for them you can let us know within 48 hours of their first session and we will issue a refund for the remaining sessions.
Pupil premium discount
If your child is eligible for pupil premium then you can receive a 25% discount for this club. To find out more about whether you are eligible please click here.
About our Forest School Leaders
Tuesdays
Kevin Button leads our tuesday club alongside assistant Charlotte Simons. Kevin is Level 3 Forest School trained and has a wealth of experience in delivering Forest School sessions and bushcraft experiences with Bridging Nature. You can find out more about Kevin here. Charlotte is also Level 1 Forest School trained.
Thursdays
Claire Rosling (founder of Earthwise) will be leading sessions alongside Charlotte Simons as assistant. Claire is a qualified Forest School Leader (Level 3) with over 12 years of experience, including running Forest School sessions for schools including Wells Cathedral School and Parent and Child forest schools. Claire is also a certified climate change educator and runs environmental education sessions for in schools, farms and in forests.
All of our staff and volunteers are enhanced DBS checked and our leaders are paediatric first aid trained, food safety trained and hold public liability insurance. Certificates available on request.
Weather
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.
— Arthur Wainwright
We run sessions all year round, except in dangerous weather (see cancellation policy). As such we will give you advice on what to wear and bring to keep you and your children comfortable. In wet weather we will have a shelter to keep us dry and in cold weather we plan activities to warm the cockles - keeping active and enjoying the warmth of a campfire!
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Cancellation Policy
If after their first session your child decides that the club is not for them, let us know within 48 hours of their first session and we can issue a refund for the remaining sessions.
Bookings are made in advance for the term and since spaces are limited we regret that we cannot offer refunds if you and your child are unable to attend any sessions paid for in advance.
If situations out of our control ('acts of god' and ‘force majeure’) force us to cancel a session, for example high winds; electrical storms, we will offer you a credit towards the following half-term. If we need to postpone sessions due to a change in government guidelines we will credit the sessions to when we are able to start up again.
If your child needs to self-isolate we are unable to refund or credit these sessions however we will keep their space for when they can return.
If we need to cancel a session for any other reason you will be offered a refund or a credit. In all cases where we need to cancel we will let you know as soon as possible.