PUPILS at Great Budworth Primary School have been enjoying more time outdoors during new forest school lessons.

The school, as well as partner school Antrobus St Marks, has now reopened to all year groups following the coronavirus lockdown.

Forest schools allow pupils to enjoy activities designed to improve their resilience, confidence and self-esteem.

They also help them to become better learners in class and give them strengths and skills that will stay with them for life.

Northwich Guardian:

Chelsea Bratherton, who leads the forest school at Great Budworth, explained: “The forest school experience improves the children’s ability to work co-operatively.

“They really enjoy having the opportunity to use their imagination and take risks.

“Every pupil has at least one Forest School session per week – whatever the weather.”

So far, pupils have used the lessons to build dens, make bows and arrows, climb trees, build their own rope swing and zip wire and go bug hunting.

Northwich Guardian:

One parent said: “It’s great to have outdoor learning time where children can explore risks sensibly and they look forward to it every week.

Another added: “My children love Forest School whatever the weather. They usually hope for rain so they can build a shelter.”

On reopening to all pupils, a school spokesman said: “All children and staff in both schools have been very excited to return.

“The headteacher, staff and governors worked tirelessly to ensure that all risk assessments were completed in good time and procedures and precautions implemented to keep everybody safe.”