Sunnybank Primary School in Whitefield successfully applied for a Wellness Investment Programme grant of £949.99 in June 2024 to support a free forest school project based ,after hours at the school, called ‘Sunny Bank Outdoor Club.'
The project aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of children and particularly targeted children and families where Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) issues had been identified.
The school offered 5 sets of 6-week sessions after school with each session lasting an hour. The sessions, which were supported by 3 volunteers, were attended and enjoyed by 45 children.
All children taking part in the sessions had been identified as having a SEMH (social, emotional or mental health) need with the project aiming to boost physical health and feelings of wellbeing for these children through outdoor physical activity.
The Forest School Lead noted the children’s growing confidence in being outside and playing in an unstructured way. She observed an increase in the children’s ability to work with others in activities such as den building.
The staff running the sessions were impressed with the resilience shown by the children in attending in all weathers and the enthusiasm they had for outdoor play and activity. There was a notable improvement in wellbeing of the children attending.
When surveyed at the end of their Forest School sessions, children expressed that the sessions had inspired them to spend more time being active outdoors and in nature in their free time.
The project has been so beneficial the school are looking to develop other areas of the grounds within the Forest School site further.
