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In the bustling heart of London, where the urban jungle thrives, parents often wonder how to provide their pre-prep age children with unique educational experiences that promote creativity, learning, skills for the future whilst establishing a deep connection to the outdoors. One innovative solution to this conundrum can be found in the leafy borough of Chelsea, where a small prep school and nursery provides unique access to outdoor learning provision from their youngest learners to their Year 6 leavers.
Cameron Vale School seamlessly combines a rigorous, personalised classroom education with the well-documented benefits of outdoor learning through their Forest School provision. Located in Chelsea and complemented by enchanting forest school lessons in Barnes, it offers a holistic learning experience like no other, providing children with a nurturing education, fostering creativity, enhancing maths and language skills, enriching vocabulary, and offering unmatched scientific opportunities. Where else can you light a fire and toast marshmallows in SW3?
Chelsea is renowned for its elegance and charm, but it’s not often associated with wild, untamed forests. However, nestled within this urban enclave is a school that recognises the importance of exposing children to nature from a young age. Cameron Vale in Chelsea effortlessly blends the lush greenery of its Forest School classes, echoed within the school with their calming colour palette and natural materials with top-tier education. Here are some of the exceptional benefits it offers:
Nature’s Classroom in the Classroom: Cameron Vale transforms its classrooms and learning spaces into interactive learning environments. Children are surrounded by natural materials, calming colours and soft music to enhance this oasis of learning. Rather than curated wall displays, the school features learning walls, reflective of the topics there are learning about that they build on throughout each term to support retention and deepen understanding. Learning activities are creative and kinesthetic as much as possible, to target all learners, providing a hands-on education that stimulates their curiosity and love for learning.
Enhanced Creativity: Being in a forest setting encourages children to use their imagination, building fairy houses, creating art from natural materials, and inventing games inspired by their surroundings. This fosters creativity, problem-solving, and innovative thinking.
Maths and Science in Action: Mathematics and science come to life at Forest School. Whether it’s measuring the height of trees, observing animal behaviour, or studying plant life cycles, children engage in practical, real-world applications of these subjects.
Language and Vocabulary: The forest provides a rich tapestry of experiences, which enhances language development. Children describe the world around them, recount their adventures, and learn new words associated with flora and fauna, all while building a strong foundation in language.
Whilst Cameron Vale sets the stage for a unique educational experience with their small class sizes, amazingly supportive and local school community and a very proactive provision for all learners, the Forest School curriculum takes it a step further, making it truly extraordinary.
Working together, collaboratively, in a setting which is very different to the more traditional classroom, provides a completely different dynamic and perspective. Children who may be quiet in the classroom, come alive where there is space and nature, a new environment where they can share their unique perspective on the world. Spatial concepts in non-verbal reasoning become much easier to understand when you can physically manipulate real objects.
Forest School is also home to a diverse natural environment, offering children unique scientific experiences. They get to explore, observe wildlife, and study ecosystems, providing a hands-on science education that extends beyond textbooks.
Integrating Forest School curriculum throughout the school instills a sense of adventure and ambition in children, teaching them to dream big and aim high in their educational pursuits.
Cameron Vale School, located in a beautiful townhouse in Chelsea, just off the King’s Road, provides an education like no other. A home from home for your child’s first steps on their educational journey. Their approach to personalized learning, small class sizes and the complete integration of the benefits of nature, creative thinking, hands-on learning, and unique opportunities in the heart of London. In a city where the urban landscape dominates, this forest school offer provides an invaluable connection to the natural world, a robust foundation in education, and the tools to prepare young minds for a future filled with limitless possibilities.
To find out more, register your interest to attend the next open day on 22 November or contact the school to organise a personal tour.
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