- National Tree Week takes place between 27 November and 5 December
- Forest Foxes is an Outdoor Learning Project delivered by Leicester City in the Community
- Young pupils enjoyed drawing trees with charcoal and making stars in a session
- Foxes legend Steve Walsh also got hands on with the activities
Primary School pupils at Seagrave Village Primary School have been celebrating National Tree Week with Leicester City in the Community.
As part of the Forest Foxes programme, Year 1 and 2 pupils from the Charnwood-based primary school spent an afternoon taking part in outdoor learning activities. To commemorate National Tree Week, the children’s activities throughout the afternoon all included a tree-theme.
Dr Alex Evans, STEM Coordinator at Leicester City in the Community, discussed why young pupils should learn about their environment.
“It’s really important for children to learn about the trees around them,” he began. “So that they can value them, and to understand the role they play in the environment and climate change.
“There’s a lot of freedom that comes with learning outside – it’s a really rewarding process and a lot different to what they might experience in the classroom.”
Pupils gathered on the playing field in front of the school and started the session with a game of bat and moth, an outdoor learning spin on the traditional game Marco Polo.
Introduction game over, children then got hands-on with charcoal and created tree rubbing art by rubbing on different trees around the field.
Leicester City Legend Steve Walsh also attended the session and got involved, even creating a charcoal tree drawing himself. After the activities, Walsh spoke about what he thought to the different style of education.
“I just think it’s fantastic that we can be out in the countryside with children who are getting educated, as well as getting fresh air and having fun at the same time,” he explained.
“It’s great – it’s something different for them. I’ve joined in and tried to use the charcoal myself; it’s been a long time since I’ve done things like that!”
After braving the cold November air, pupils went inside and took part in a classroom-based activity, but this time with tree twigs. Children were tasked with creating a star made from six twigs and rubber bands. After their day of Forest Foxes, Year 2 pupil Hayden talked about his favourite moments.
“I really enjoyed marking the trees with charcoal,” he said. “It was really fun going to different trees. We don’t usually learn outside very much, so it’s fun to learn outside. I like going outside to get fresh air."
You can watch the Forest Foxes video, HERE.
To find out more information about Leicester City in the Community’s Outdoor Learning programme, Forest Foxes, contact STEM and Outdoor Learning Coordinator Alex Evans: alex.evans@lcfc.co.uk.