Grantham Lions support local school

Isaac Newton Primary is a “Good” Ofsted rated school in Grantham. The school promotes outdoor activities and learning to enhance fitness, health and wellbeing. Last year they created a small Forest School on site and needed some final funding to complete the project. Grantham Lions Club stepped in to help.

John Dickinson, Grantham Lions Chairman of Community Services, said: “Our support of the local community comes in different ways and via different avenues. Grantham Lions Club believe that the youth of today is our future so when Isaac Newton Primary School asked for some help earlier in the year, I came to visit the school to take a look at the work they have been doing to create their own Forest School on site. Watching the pupils during a Forest School session was truly inspiring. The committee then made the decision to support the project.”

The initial idea came to fruition following the pupils visit to an independent Forest School and thoroughly enjoying the activities available. The school then embarked on developing an unused piece of woodland next to the playing field. This area now has natural pathways, brash fencing to entice wildlife, a fire pit, an outdoor classroom area and bug hotels. Two staff members were then trained to become qualified Forest School Practitioners.

Forest Schools provide children with hands-on experiences including bird watching, wildlife searching, and fire building. These activities help children to develop social skills, communication skills, motivation, physical skills, knowledge and understanding.

To complete their project, Isaac Newton School wanted to purchase some final pieces of equipment so that the pupils will have the opportunities to take part in ALL Forest School activities, including den building, art/craft making, and woodcarving. Pupils have been involved in choosing all the equipment, so they could ensure it would offer activities which will interest them. The new activities will provide the children with the following skills:

Hygiene Safety

Confidence Building

Physical Fitness

Wellbeing

Team Building

Sara Pask, Deputy Headteacher, said: “We would like to thank Grantham Lions for their support with this project. We are now in a position to purchase the final pieces of equipment for the Forest School. This project will benefit all children who attend the school and the skills and knowledge they will gain is likely to instil a life-long respect for the environment, which will benefit the wider community too.”