Our Nurture students have started an exciting new Forest School experience at Furry Friends, giving them the opportunity to learn, explore and develop outside of the traditional classroom environment.
A particularly exciting part of the experience is the opportunity to work directly with animals. Students are spending time caring for and interacting with a range of animals, including goats, pigs, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. This gives them the chance to develop practical skills while learning about responsibility, patience and how to care for animals safely and respectfully.
The sessions provide students with time outdoors while developing a wide range of practical and personal skills. Forest School is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience a different type of learning, where curiosity, exploration and hands-on activities are at the heart of the experience.
Working with animals can also provide valuable opportunities for communication and relationship building. Students have to learn how to approach animals appropriately, follow instructions, work safely and respond to the needs of another living being. For some of our young people, building that trust can be a hugely rewarding experience.
Being outdoors and working with animals also provides a valuable change of environment for students who may find the traditional classroom challenging. The sessions encourage students to communicate, work together, problem-solve and develop confidence at their own pace.
For our Nurture students, these experiences are about much more than what they achieve during a particular activity. They are about developing independence, building relationships, managing emotions, trying something new and recognising their own capabilities.
We are really excited to see how the programme develops over the coming weeks and to see our students continue to grow in confidence through their experiences at Furry Friends.
