THE Moorland Schools Partnership group, comprising Gulworthy, Lamerton, Mary Tavy and Brentor primary schools, joined up with Milton Abbot School for the day to use their four and a half acres of outside space for a day of learning and fun.

The day was organised to provide children from these small village schools with the opportunity to spend a full day outdoors with children of the same age.

The event made the most of the primary school’s field, wildlife pond, woodland and multi-use games area.

The day was organised by teacher Jane Simmons, who leads forest school at Milton Abbot Primary School for children aged three to six years. Miss Simmons organised a timetable of activities for every school to complete.

Among the activities were outdoor maths, orienteering, natural art, problem solving skills, risk taking, lighting campfires, exploring in the mud kitchen, using loppers along with a visit from Chris Holland who is a international story teller. 

Chris said: ‘As a leading inspiration in creative outdoor learning and a best selling author of a forest school activity guidebook I provide excellent consultancy, INSET training and team building, enrichment programmes and workshops for schools.’ 

Miss Simmons said: ‘The children had a wonderful day and the weather was just perfect. We were also lucky to have such a talented story teller in our woodland den for the day.

‘I was pleased with how well the volunteers, staff and children from all of the Moorland Partnership Schools worked as a team to help us make this day a successful event. It took a lot of organisation but it was worth it! The children learned so much in just one day through outdoor education linked to the curriculum objectives, whilst having fun and connecting with nature. This was exactly what I had hoped to achieve.’