Beccles Forest School early year section to close down

The news that the Beccles Forest School's early years department will close in March has been revealed by headteacher Po Midwinter.

Beccles Forest School works to create a space for children to understand the growing need to create a relationship with the natural world.

The school said that the decision to close was purely financial.

It had led to parents embarking on a fundraising and recruitment drive to try and save the section.

Staff, parents and pupils at the Early Years Provision on Beccles Common (Image: Submitted)

The headteacher said: "We are devastated but we are losing too much money to operate and simply don't get enough from the government to pay our staff, we are saddened to come to this decision.

"Having struggled on at a loss for a while now sadly our debts have been amounting and because of the outdoor provisions we offer we have lots of staff to pay to keep us safe and functionable.

"We are grateful for the parents' help, it is incredibly touching to feel their support and how much they want to fight to save it.

"Working with them we won't give up on this, but, sadly, we are in a position where finances are short to fund our unique learning experience."

It has caused the parents of the school to unite and think of things they can do to help save the early years provision,

Some parents have been applying for grants, helping create equipment and advertising locally for the outdoor school to get more students.

Mili Burton and other parents are fighting to save the school from closure (Image: Submitted)

For Mili Burton, 42 and whose eldest son is a pupil at the school, the announcement comes as a "deep shame" as she spearheads the fight to save it from closure.

READ MORE: 'A wonderful validation': Nature focused outdoor school's outstanding Ofsted report

Mrs Burton said: "My youngest son who is two was going to go to the early years when he turned two and a half, he can't now and it is a dreadfully deep shame.

"It is terrible news for the team who have worked so hard to achieve their outstanding Ofsted rating that they cannot continue the amazing work they have been doing.

"It feels like an injustice because it is so successful and they deserve the opportunity to continue and not have to close.

"Us parents are all determined to help in as many ways as we can to save it from closing.

"We are sad to see them close as it is an extraordinary place where pupils get the opportunity to have a unique learning experience and develop important life skills at a young age.

Staff, parents and pupils of the Beccles Forest School (Image: Submitted)

"The commitment from the staff is just unbelievable and they are so amazing and done an incredible job to get the school to where it is.

"The school is struggling financially to keep the early years section open and we are pushing as many avenues as possible to get something done about it."

Ofsted had rated the provision as outstanding in March.

Its report had 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".

Lucy Butcher, manager of the early years provision, had said of the Ofsted report: "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.”

To donate see the link: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/beccles-forest-school-project

For more information on Beccles Forest School see their website: www.becclesforestschool.co.uk/