Autumn and Spring
The Nursery, Pre-Prep and Junior departments use the woods for walks on a weekly basis These times give the children vital space for free play in a secure, but open setting, which we believe is crucial for their emotional and social development.
The Middle and Senior departments use the woods for cross country and fun runs, as well as occasional orienteering sessions and for the vital task of collecting wood for bonfire night!
All the school use the woodlands to support their exploration of nature – mini-beast hunts a speciality - and, for the older children, some science lessons are specifically scheduled to take place in the woods.
Summer Term
Not surprisingly we use the woods even more in the summer and all parts of the school have a “special day” there. The date of each of these is kept a closely guarded secret!
The Nursery children enjoy a special picnic whilst the Pre-Prep bring well-loved cuddly toys to enjoy a “Teddy Bears Picnic”.
The children from Years 3-8 spend time camp-building in preparation for their special day: for the Juniors there is ‘Mudlarks’ Day, for the Middles ‘Woodlanders’ and for the Seniors ‘Q Day’.
The children cook their own food and take part in different team activities and games. For ‘Q Day’ the Seniors have the added excitement of spending the night in their camps and taking part in a night operation as well as a series of daytime challenges which might include orienteering, a treasure hunt, archery and swimming competitions.
For many GW pupils these times are a highlight in their memories of time spent at the school. They give invaluable experience in leadership, team work and outdoor skills which they carry on to their next schools and we find that many of our old boys and girls go on to undertake Duke of Edinburgh awards at which they excel.