YOUNGSTERS in a village primary school made the most of the hot weather before the end of term by moving their classroom outdoors.

Following Forest School training, staff at Burton Bradstock Primary School set up regular lessons in a nearby fields, which has proved popular with pupils.

Teachers also say that it is a great way to learn.

Head teacher Mrs Staple said: “We already use the village all year round for particular topics and Class One go for a Welly Walk every Wednesday. But this term we’ve really built on this and looked at ways we can teach other parts of the curriculum outdoors.”

The school have been making use of a field just a few minutes’ walk away that was bought by the Parish Council last year. Forest School training has helped the school really explore how they teach the curriculum in different ways.

Teacher Mrs Proctor added: “It’s all about hands on learning. Children can take ideas on so much quicker when they are active and enthused and being outdoors really does that.

“We’ve had years five and six out learning about how our ancestors lived but they also did some maths and English outdoors too.”

Reception and Year One pupils were taking to the field to find out how to be creative using natural materials, observing growth and change in the environment and developing numeracy and literacy skills through stories.

The free Forest School training has been provided by the South Dorset Ridgeway Landscape Partnership supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund as is available to schools in the Bridport, Dorchester and Weymouth area.