Churchfields Primary School, which is split between two bases in Monkton Farleigh and Atworth, is teaching the pupils outdoors skills at regular Forest School days.

Children go to the forest on supervised days out, to learn a range of skills and explore their own ideas; often linking activities to curriculum subjects.

Pupils aged four to 11 have taken part in shelter building, knot tying, bread making over an open fire, mini-beast hunting, camouflage and wood whittling to make kazoos.

Forest School teacher Andrea Liddiard said: “By taking part, the children get to love and respect their environment. It encourages them to reach higher academic standards and empowers them as individuals by developing strong skills and helping them grow emotionally and physically towards adulthood.”

One pupil, Harry, said: “We learn teamwork, we study plants, make fires and lots more.”