An outdoor school with a unique and green focus on teaching has shared its delight having received the top mark in its first-ever Ofsted inspection.
Beccles Forest School on Beccles Common welcomed inspectors on May 5, and the staff and pupils were thrilled to learn the Early Years Provision is outstanding.
Po Midwinter, director of learning in nature CIC, who runs Beccles Forest School, said:
“Lucy, Marie and the whole team have worked so hard since we set up the Early Years
provision.
"These children are outdoors every day that they are here, all year round.
"Their resilience and independence is second to none and they learn friendships and
high-level vocabulary from a dedicated staff.
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"Above all this, they are connected to the natural world all day, they get muddy, they climb trees, they play and learn together amongst the trees, reeds and long grass.
"Their environment is wild and wonderful.”
Beccles Forest School is working to create a space for children to understand the growing need to create a relationship with the natural world.
The Ofsted report said: "Children thrive at this exceptional outdoor setting"; "staff create a wonderful atmosphere of 'awe and wonder'"; "staff confidently deliver the curriculum through inspirational teaching" and "children show high levels of stamina and strength as they run, climb, crawl and balance".
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Lucy Butcher, manager of the Early Years provision, said: "The wonder of being outdoors and experiencing firsthand the changing seasons fosters a connection and delight in the natural world.
"The staff provide a nurturing and inspiring environment with a learner-led and holistic approach which empowers the children to have autonomy and ownership over the space.
"Play spaces transform through the magic of the children's imagination.
"The Ofsted report has been a wonderful validation of our little community.”
For more information on Beccles Forest School see their website: www.becclesforestschool.co.uk/
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