CHILDREN in Mount House Pre-Prep School were able to take full advantage of the brilliant summer weather for this year's Forest School week, with all pupils from three to seven years embarking upon this exciting and innovative approach to learning.

The whole week took place in the great outdoors and involved the children in hands-on practical activities.

They had the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and to use their initiative to solve problems together.

The foundation stage children went on an adventurous forest walk in Cardinham Woods and collected petals and leaves to produce their own perfumes and potions.

They made collage pictures using the natural surroundings and went stream dipping, before building and lighting a fire to cook pasta.

With advice from artist Kate Forshall, the children used pastels and charcoal to make close observational drawings of Oxeye daisies, foxgloves and trees, and made stone sculptures.

Years 1 and 2 took a trip to the moors and worked in groups to put up their own tents.

After much searching they found several well hidden letterboxes and sketched the views around them.

The day ended with a visit from Tom Soby of Dartmoor National Park who told them tales of Moorland myths and legends.

To help the children understand the importance of camouflage in nature they camouflaged themselves with foliage and painted their hands and faces with mud, then hid in the forest and waited for the teachers to spot them. After building a fire pit and barbecuing their lunch, the children designed sunshades to protect them from the great summer weather they have been experiencing.