The woodland forest school and outdoor classroom is a vital part of the curriculum for Henshaws Specialist College. Installing an accessible ramp allows everyone at the college to utilise this space and help connect with the natural world
Investing in outdoor classrooms certainly aligns with the understanding that exposure to nature can have a significant positive impact on mental well-being. To provide an opportunity to connect with the natural world, promoting not only academic growth but also personal development and independence.
With a school year well underway the woodland forest school and outdoor classroom is a vital part of Henshaws Specialist College curriculum. Yet they needed to make the classroom entirely accessible for all students year-round, whatever the weather.
Based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire the college offers around 80 places to students aged 18 – 25 with special educational needs and disabilities. Including a residential offering which allows young people to join from across the UK.
Shaneka Rianne, Trust & Grants Assistant applied for support and a £200 grant went towards helping with the installation of a wheelchair ramp, meaning it could allow every single student at the college to benefit from the classroom.
“We look forward to seeing how the students progress through the school year, the changing seasons and having greater access to the outdoors. Forest School is particularly suited to people who have a low sense of self-worth and who struggle for various reasons to learn in a traditional classroom setting. Students have shown improved communication through relating to nature and developing their social skills – things like sharing, negotiating, leading and problem solving with peers.”
Emma, an instructor at Henshaws also shared the positives of getting the students outdoors.
“Many of the students I work with who have autism visibly relax when we go outside to explore our natural spaces. They also seem more able to tolerate each other’s self-stimulating behaviours e.g. humming and can work better as a group, due to the space accessible to them.”
Books & Magazines
-
New
Epic Rides
Packed full of our favourite stories, photos and articles and every bike in our range.
£0.00
-
Save 10%
-
Save 10%
Coffee First, Then The World
In 2018, over the course of 18,000 miles, Scottish cyclist Jenny Graham smashed the round-the-world...
£15.29
£16.99
-
Save 10%
-
Save 10%
The Outdoor Swimmers' Handbook
Kate Rew's joyful and comprehensive guide to outdoor swimming
£19.79
£21.99
-
Save 10%
Swimming Wild in the Lake District
The most beautiful wild swimming spots in the larger lakes
£16.19
£17.99
-
Save 10%
1001 Climbing Tips
An irregular instruction manual for anyone who hangs off stuff or just hangs around in the mountains
£22.49
£24.99
-
Email when available
-
Save 10%
-
Save 10%
Lake District Trail Running
Helen Mort's compilation of 20 off-road routes for trail and fell runners from 5 to 17 km
£11.69
£12.99
-
Save 10%
Chris Bonington Mountaineer
This books breaks down 30 years of Chris Bonnington's climbing with pages of wonderful photographs - an inspiration to any mountaineer
£17.99
£19.99
-
Save 10%
Stand-up Paddleboarding In Great Britain
Providing details on how to get started in stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in a safe environment.
£19.79
£21.99
Your next reads
