A STOURPORT primary school has earned national recognition as a champion of outdoor learning after featuring in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Magazine.

In her article, award-winning journalist Louise Tickle describes how reception children at Wilden All Saints cover seven areas of the curriculum during their 90 minutes of Forest School.

Specially-trained teacher Sharon Mason spends every Friday morning in the small patch of woodland behind the school with the 30 four and five-year-olds, learning in nature.

The article, in this month’s edition, explains how they learn maths by counting sticks for the campfire, science by cooking – and sometimes burning – marshmallows, literacy by describing what they discover about nature and use natural materials for art and design.

Acting head of school Charlotte McDonald said: “Outdoor education is a fundamental part of our school’s learning ethos, through which our children learn and thrive.

“We were thrilled to welcome Louise to our Forest School session and to feature as the outstanding example of outdoor learning in her article, in which a variety of experts highlighted its educational benefits.”

Wilden All Saints is part of the Severn Academies Educational Trust family of schools and chief executive Chris King added: “They do great work at Wilden and this national recognition is very much deserved.”