Project Description

The Forest School idea is very potent concept
around a theory that whatever children can do
inside they can also do outside. Ecclesall
woods, the ancient woodland within the city
boundary has an old Sawmill site. The site
has exciting new plans for developing a centre
for innovative use of timber and has a number
of small businesses and enterprises already on
the site. At the moment the Forest School site
has outdoor play area and a teepee. They
would like to develop a “structure” to allow for
some additional facilities – to be decided but
most likely an “outside classroom” and the
aim is to build the project.

Sunday 19 October 2008

TIMBER!!!



An early start on Friday for everyone in the group. I saw the sun rising as I rushed down to meet the group in the arts tower at 7.45am. We were preparing for a design review with Prue on site, followed by another design review with Ted, Scott and Sarah. The meetings were very productive and we established a design which we will take forward and develop further. The meeting also raised a few questions as to the extent of enclosure required, with Sarah pushing for a design with a large degree of enclosure and shelter.  We must answer the question, are we to design and construct an outdoor classroom or as Sarah would prefer, an indoor classroom outdoors? What is an outdoor classroom.....

In the afternoon we went down to a designated area in the woods and started felling trees. We cut down about 10 Sycamore trees! We were assisted by Tom Collier on the Chainsaw.

We started preparing the site to enable constriction to commence on Monday. We removed the existing Tepee, which was rather shabby and smelly...no loss there!

The day concluded with a tour of the ancient woodland with Ted and Sarah, followed by a de-briefing with the live project team.

No comments: