Basingstoke's MP, Maria Miller visited Marnel Infant’s Forest School. The Forest school class operates all day everyday on the school site. It is a provision for a small group of pupils who would otherwise be at risk of exclusion; given the rise in exclusion rates Head Teacher Susan Cox explained that this type of provision could be an alternative to the exclusion/ underachievement cycle.
Children learn outdoors and enjoy the facilities which include a mud kitchen. Children can return to the main school when they have the necessary skills to contribute positively to the classroom.
Maria commented, “The Forest School is a wonderful concept and it was striking to see how engaged the children were in their activities. The children were learning number sequences in an environment which could be adapted to their learning styles. Early intervention is key if we are to build children’s self-esteem and their ability to learn and in this way exclusion can be prevented. Susan Cox’s vision for expanding the Forest School will be of huge benefit to pupils.”