‘We would like to  make a swing?’ they said,’ a swing in our woods?’   A swing is exactly what they made!

Following the child led ethos of Forest School, the children completed their swing collaboratively.  They faced difficulties and problems together on the way, but then they achieved their goal together by working as a a team.

They were given a rope and they had to problem solve their way though making the swing by deciding who would do what, how they could divide the jobs out fairly, decide on the steps needed and most importantly, ensuring they evaluated the risks and kept themselves and each safe.

First up, choosing the branch and getting the rope over it.  Jut throwing the rope up to that height was not that tricky, but actually getting it over the branch and lowering it down the other side was.  Even tying a knot in the end of the rope didn’t help.  They had to weight the end of the rope more.

With the rope successfully over the chosen branch, they decided the next job was to find a suitable stick to sit on.  Sizes and thicknesses were discussed at length, and off they went, on a stick hunt.  But the stick they found was too long.  ‘We need to cut it Mrs Butler!’ they cried.  And cut it they did.  Everyone had a go at sawing;  they supported one another and used the hand saw accurately and carefully.  Amazing teamwork.

Next, attaching the stick to the rope (the timber hitch we learnt previously was good for this) …. and testing it to make sure the branch was strong enough and the swing was safe!   Who should go first, second and third?  The children had to decide this and communicate effectively and ensure no one was left out.

Then the swing was taken down for the next group to crack on with independently.  And they managed it too!!  What an amazing bunch of children.

When we weren’t hanging around swinging on the swing, we had a go at lashing some willow sticks together.  This was quite fiddly and required focus and determination.

Everyone had a go and some wonderful shapes were created; there was even a glimpse of a Christmas star.  The children overcame difficulties, frustrations and took risks to even attempt these.  Some individuals, who were reluctant to even start, gradually gained confidence and did better than they thought they would.

We had just enough time for some  fire lighting, boiling some water in the storm kettle for hot chocolate and having some more sunflower and pumpkin seeds in soy sauce.  To finish off we reflected on our favourite Forest School activities over the past 11 weeks and decided on what we would like to do for out final Forest School Session next week.

Wonderful work Forest Schoolers.  Well done.