Different generations were learning from each other when a pre-school visited a Forest School training centre.

Children from Southwell Smiley Faces Pre-School in Portland got an exciting day out in the woods when they visited Whitehorse Forest School Training in Moreton.

The children helped trainee Forest School leaders get hands on experience to complete their Level 3 Forest School management qualification.

The pre-school pupils enjoyed a morning of bug hunting, den building, litter picking and nature themed activities - all led by the trainee leaders - to help them about the environment and how to look after it.

Jenny Whyton, childcare manager at Smiley Faces said: "Getting the kids outside is so important. It gives them a new learning experiences they might not have at home and broadens their horizons. One child said today, 'if maths was like this every day, it would be my

Jenny completed her Forest School training at Whitehorse more than three years ago and now brings her pupils down to assist trainees and give the children some time outdoors.

"I think training in Forest School management impacts how you deliver the rest of the curriculum. You can deliver every aspect of the curriculum outside - you just have to change your mindset. I think it lends itself to a positive learning environment. We all have access to the outdoors and it's free," she said.

Robert Hamilton began Whitehorse Forest School Training three and a half years ago to encourage school's to take forest school learning into their own hands.

"Instead of outsourcing forest school learning, we want teachers to be able to deliver it themselves. In this day and age, budgets are being cut so whatever schools can do themselves is a real benefit. You only need one qualified member of staff who can deliver forest school learning across the school so it's a really cost effective way of doing it," he said.

"What we want to do is equip teachers, nursery school leaders and anyone who works with children to be able to run and lead their own Forest School, safely and effectively," he said.

Trainees spent eight days across eight weeks in the private woodland site in Moreton. All their training is done outside in the woods and they have two sessions with local children to get hands on experience running sessions.

"I think we're the only training centre to bring real children out," Rob said.

Trainee Forest School leader and primary school teacher, Heidi Martin said: "I've absolutely loved the course. I'm really looking forward to taking it back to my school. I've learnt so much - I'd really like to roll it out across the whole school."

For more information about Forest School training contact 01305 769 720 or info@whitehorse-safety.co.uk