At Wildmoor Heath, learning need not take place solely within the classroom.

The outdoor environment has a massive potential for learning. We are extremely fortunate to have such rich environments on our doorstep as the Wildmoor Heath Nature Reserve (91 hectares of rare heathland habitat); our large playing field with Sensory Garden; EYFS all-year garden and our purpose-built Forest-School style outdoor learning area 'Wildwood'. 

All children participate in a range of progressive and creative outdoor learning experiences which are either part of the national curriculum or promote their emotional wellbeing.

Wildwood Forest School Sessions

All year groups enjoy regular weekly sessions for one half term each year in Wildwood. 

Following the Forest School ethos, all learning is child-led in a natural environment with opportunities for them to discover supported risk-taking (such as lighting a campfire, building a shelter or using wood tools).  Our learners gain an appreciation of the local flora and fauna.  

 

Local heath walks

Children enjoy a guided walk visiting our local Wildmoor Heath. The children find out all about some of the amazing species that live there, paying particular attention to our amazing ground-nesting birds – the Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Nightjar – and find out about the carnivorous plants near the bog.  The children also learn about the history of the local area; from how Bracknell got its name in Saxon times (Bracken) to tales of highwaymen camping nearby!

Taking the curriculum outside

In the autumn, instead of clearing and disposing of the leaves that fall on our car park and playground, we make leaf piles for the children to play with.   

A child's tactile system is required for them to coordinate, organise, discriminate and interpret touch appropriately.

Leaf play is an excellent way for children to feel the various textures of smooth, rough, soft and crunchy. As children carry leaves from one area to another, they will test their ability to gauge how hard or soft they need to grip the leaves. As they build the leaf piles they will learn the amount of pressure needed to push or pick up leaves. All of these simple games help them organise their sensory systems and help them develop important fine motor and writing skills down the road.  Leaf play can be an excellent source of movement and activity that stimulates the sensory system. Jumping into the huge leaf piles, running into the leaves, and even throwing the leaves in the air, is not only fun and exciting but also an extremely important part of developing your child’s sensory systems.