Nature reserve and school to get grant

A Staffordshire nature reserve and school are to benefit from thousands of pounds worth of grants thanks to a 'Forest Schools' challenge which is supported by TV gardener and author Chris Beardshaw.

The scheme saw a panel of judges hand out cash to people who could set up and run a successful Forest School – a woodland classroom to help children learn about the natural environment. The nature reserve, near Stafford, and the Cannock school were successful in the competition.

More than 42 schools, organisations and individuals from around the West Midlands went head to head for the chance to secure a share of £60,000 as part of the Forestry Commission initiative.

The successful bidders included the Wolseley Centre, near Wolseley Bridge, and the Forest of Mercia, which will be providing a leafy classroom for Chasetown Community School on land owned by Staffordshire County Council.

The Wolseley Centre was awarded £3,156 and the Forest of Mercia was awarded £5,310 on behalf of Chasetown School. Burnwood Community School in Stoke was also awarded more than £5,692.

The Forestry Commission says forest schools allow people to "explore, investigate and discover" the natural environment, offering "regular opportunities to learn social, physical and educational skills while encouraging an appreciation and understanding of the environment".

It also says they provide a valuable teaching tool for a range of curriculum subjects. Chris Beardshaw, who became a household name as the Flying Gardener and is a long-term supporter of outdoor learning activities, said: "The most important thing is the amount of imagination that was shown in these applications, not just in an artistic nature but the imagination in which a space or environment can be transformed into a learning exercise."

Bill Heslegrave, regional director for the Forestry Commission in the West Midlands, said: "Forest Schools have a wide range of proven benefits."

The Forestry Commission West Midlands Region is making a further £30,000 in grants available next year. Call 01584 877544.