Two former teachers with more than 40 years combined experience have announced plans to launch a unique outdoor learning experience.
Heidi Franklin, former headteacher at Abbots Green Primary School in Bury St Edmunds, and close friend and fellow teacher Denise Winder are using their educational experience to launch Wild Play.
The new venture aims to encourage children to develop a love and respect for the natural world from an early age.
Mrs Franklin said: “Our purpose is to provide pre-school and primary school-aged children with opportunities to gain a real passion for being outdoors.
“We want to redress the balance between the advantages of living in a digital world and encouraging many more youngsters to have real-life, fun adventures in the open air.”
Mrs Winder said: “The ‘Wild’ in Wild Play focuses on our aims to enable children to ‘Wonder, Investigate, Learn and Discover’ the great outdoors.
“We want to help young people develop their social, communication, physical and developmental skills with other little foresters and become part of the Wild Play community.”
After securing two sites in Rougham and Haughley, Wild Play will offer four different and bespoke themes – including Muddy Hogs for pre-school age, Wild Play Explorers during school holidays and Wild Play parties.
Children will be provided with a wide range of experiences including crafts, den building, exploration time and bush craft - all based around children’s needs and interests.
A fourth element, Wild Play Schools, will see the team working with schools to provide high quality outdoor and forest school learning as part of the existing curriculum.
Mrs Franklin, who along with Mrs Winder is Level 3 Forest School-trained, said: “We understand there is an ever-increasing pressure on school budgets.
“But there is also a desire to take learning outside and into the environment.
“Wild Play can deliver outdoor learning and Forest School provision either on a school site or at our woodland location.
“We understand every school is different so our packages will be tailormade to their wants and needs, ensuring we can accommodate a whole class or any specific groups of pupils.
“We are proud to launch this new business in Suffolk. We are passionate about promoting the benefits of the fantastic outdoor spaces within our county and working with our local communities.”
To find out more about Wild Play, visit www.wildplayltd.co.uk.
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