GAINFORD Primary is the latest in the dale to establish a forest school thanks to cash from the village’s charitable trust.
Gainford Charitable Trust gave more than £3,000 to the school which they will use to buy equipment.
Teacher Rachael Muir, who took pre-school, reception and year one pupils on a forest school session in the village orchard, said the cash would pay for a teepee, mobile fire pits and Dutch ovens as well as waterproofs for the children.
Headteacher Chris Riley said: “Forest school is a unique way of building independence, self-esteem and a positive attitude towards learning in children as they explore and experience the natural world.
“A combination of freedom and responsibility is beneficial to children and valuable life skills, such as communication, team working and responsibility, are learnt.”
Pupil Ryan said: “I like being outside because there are lots of fun activities.”
Classmate Elizabeth added that they had learned a lot about leaves and trees, including that acorns come from oak trees and bark from birch trees is good for making campfires.
On Ryan’s suggestion the school made apple crumble using apples from the orchard and rhubarb grown at the school.
