Education

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The Friends of Judy Woods are keen to encourage the educational use of Judy Woods by local groups and schools.

Forest Schools in Judy Woods

While walking through the woods you may have seen groups of children dressed in wellington boots, red puddle suits and yellow tabards, with two teachers. Did you wonder what they were doing? Well they come from local childrens’ centres at Wyke and Little Horton. The teachers there are training to be qualified Forest School teachers.
Forest Schools is an idea that has come from Scandinavia. In those countries all primary school children regularly spend time outside in the forests doing various activities, similar to scouting. This helps to develop children’s physical skills, social skills, confidence and appreciation of nature. It was found that this then went on to improve their academic achievements. Forest Schools started being introduced to Britain in the 1990s and they have spread to many parts of the country, particularly in Wales. Now it is Bradford’s turn and a group of us started training last February. We are taking the Level 3 Award, which will qualify us to run a Forest School at our childrens’ centres.
At the moment groups of children come for a course of six sessions at a time. Some of the children have not had much experience of this environment before and are not quite sure they like it to begin with, but over time they gain confidence and enjoy getting close to nature. Some of the children are frightened of dogs and have to be taught how to act around them, so if you see a group of children stood with their arms crossed and looking up at the sky this is why! We come whatever the weather, except in high winds, and in all seasons. Next time you see us please say hello, though if you have a dog please keep on walking too! Pam Beck

Tree Planting:

In March 2008, classes from seven local primary schools planted about 1500 trees in Judy Woods. If our calculations are right, we have planted about 10,000 trees since the Friends group was formed.

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In February and March 2007, six local primary schools (Hill Top, Woodlands, Shirley Manor, Worthinghead, High Fernley and Low Moor) have planted nearly 1000 saplings (a mix of holly, field maple and oak) in Judy Woods. All the children were encouraged to come back and watch their tree grow. Each child was awarded with 'The Friends of Judy Woods' badges for their hard work.

Local primary schools have received an educational CD-rom relating to Judy Woods (linked to the National Curriculum), which has been funded as part of the Roots of Judy Woods project.

68th Bradford South St. Marys, Wyke Scout Group: 14th Sept 2005:

The Friends of Judy Woods went to collect about twenty five oak saplings from this scout group, which they had grown from seed. The scout group were presented with a certificate, badges and copies of the latest newsletter. The scouts hope to grow more.