Botley Brambles Club
Bookings now being taken for Session Four!
Thursday 9th May 2024
A session open to Years 1, 2, and 3 only.
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Botley Brambles - Session Two - 26th March 2024
Our second session of Botley Brambles sold out within an hour! I know many children are wanting to come to the next session in April, and I will try to get in touch with those children to book them in, in advance.
We planned the session as a Bramble weaving session but our Brambles were incredibly thorny and so we moved over to a knife usage session where the children made Bows & Arrows. We had lots of tree climbing, den making, Hawthorn children continued to develop their 'O.P. Hawthorn Playhouse' stage, and of course lots of mudding digging.
The 'Puddy Muddle' had become a bit stagnant so it was closed a few weeks ago but the children decided it would be a good idea to dig a channel from it to drain the water. They managed to plan, excavate an old metal fence, dig out the clay mud and channel the water out.
We had snacks of apples, breadsticks, and a sweet treat to end the session.
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Botley Brambles - Session One - 7th March 2024
Such an amazing start to our new Forest School Club - Botley Brambles!
We started by getting the campfire hot ready to cook on. The children then found good, long sticks to cook their Damper Bread on, peeling the bark off the end to get a clean surface to stick the dough on to. We had a 'Head Chef' in the kitchen mixing the dough together as well as some helpers, chopping apples for our Caramelised Honey Apples. The children then cooked their Damper Bread on sticks over the fire, adopting a good fire stance whilst the Apples cooked over a bakestone.
The children then had time to enjoy their usual pursuits within Forest School - Tree Climbing, Slack-Line, Den Making, Pond Watching (we have frog spawn at last!).
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Can't get enough of Forest School? We have the answer!
Be part of 'Botley Brambles' - our pop-up Forest School club.
This club offers a great variety of exciting outdoor adventures. Each session is different; activities may include building dens, hunting for mini beasts, food preparation and campfire cooking, arts & crafts, woodland games, outdoor first aid and much more including seasonal crafts. Every session includes refreshments.
We create a supportive yet challenging environment to have fun, learn new skills and make new friends. Over time children will grow in self-confidence, independence, self-esteem and develop communication and problem-solving skills and a love and appreciation of the outdoors.
Where is it and at what time?
Botley Brambles takes place in the school Woodland, from 15:15 - 17:00, initially twice a term.
The club is for Key Stage 2 children.
Each session costs £6, payable in advance on ParentPay or by cash to the school office.
We meet at the prep area outside Cherry class at 15:15 where children can get changed and be ready to head into the Woodland at 15:30.
At 17:00 the children will be brought to the main school entrance to be picked up.
Please note that apart from in emergencies, it won’t be possible to pick up earlier than 17:00.
What do the children need to bring?
We are outside for the majority of the session and will inevitably get muddy, wet, or smelly so please ensure your child has their full Forest School kit in school on the day.
Essential kit includes a waterproof coat, boots or wellies, long-sleeved tops and bottoms such as joggers or jeans - all year round. During the colder months please bring additional layers, hats and gloves. Sun cream and insect repellent in summer are recommended. A water bottle is also essential, all year round.
How do I sign up?
Trial sessions will run on Thursday 7 March and Tuesday 26 March.
You can sign up for the first session by paying £6 on ParentPay or to the school office.
There are 25 spaces at each session. It’s first come, first served!