A new outdoor learning space is to be co-habited by Ysgol y Bannau and Brecon Beacons College in Penlan, Brecon. Due to a partnership between the two public services, ‘Ysgol Coedwig’ (Forestry School) will be a learning space for students aged 4 and above. It is believed that increasing outdoor learning for all students will be beneficial for their wellbeing, creativity, and knowledge of the climate and nature crisis. The area already features trees, open green space and a firepit, with funding now being sought by both organisations to create a year-round sheltered learning space.
The partnership between the two organisations was originally formed in 2019 when Ysgol y Bannau was granted shared use of the College’s land to create Ysgol Coedwig. At the time, NPTC Group of Colleges (which Brecon Beacons College is part of) granted funding for the building of a gateway entrance and steps joining Ysgol y Bannau to the Forest School land. Following the pandemic, the partners are furthering educational opportunities in the space with volunteer work and multi-age activities.
Proposed multi-age activities include lessons from College childcare students to primary school children at Ysgol y Bannau as part of experience-based coursework. Gateway, Horticulture and Public Services learners at the College will also significantly benefit from new tree planting, outdoor pursuits and food-growing opportunities on the land.
Currently, the College staff have lent a helping hand to the project by volunteering Forest School lessons for children at Ysgol y Bannau. Public Services Tutor Simon New and local artist Tanwen have both set up weekly classes for the children, with a different group taking part each term. The activities fit nicely into the new Welsh curriculum, with free roam for creative play, including pottery, sports on the grass, making and cooking on fires, and building den structures from the available plants.
Speaking about their extra hours volunteering for the project, Simon said: “Tanwen and myself have been running Forest School sessions over the past year. The sessions are like a journey for the children, allowing them to play freely in a wild space under our supervision. We are wanting to expand our activities more by
having a more permanent study space and more areas, such as a dedicated digging stretch.”
“It’s great to see from the lessons how some reserved quiet children are already beginning to enjoy being outside more.”
On Ysgol Coedwig’s story so far and going to the future, the Chair of Governors for Ysgol y Bannau, Tim Morgan, added: “We are very proud of Ysgol Y Bannau. It is a fantastic school that develops future citizens of Wales in a caring, developmental and innovative learning environment. This partnership with NPTC Group of Colleges is another opportunity for our children to learn alongside our community, but also for them to teach others about the Welsh language, our wonderful culture and all the stories poetry and songs they know so well.”
Principal of NPTC Group of Colleges, Mark Dacey, also believes: “These outdoor learning spaces are a fantastic environment for our young learners to develop positive relationships, embrace new ways of communicating, improve their capacity for learning and encourage a deeper respect for the environment around us. NPTC Group of Colleges are proud to be part of these new and innovative ways of learning in Powys with our partners at Ysgol y Bannau.”
