Here at Sir Thomas Abney, we have one of the largest outdoor play areas in inner London for our Nursery and Reception children. We believe that children should have regular access to outside learning opportunities and that the outdoor environment offers a unique space for their development of both academic skills,  their mental health and wellbeing. This in turn improves our children’s self-esteem, self-confidence and ability to work cooperatively.

Thanks to our impressive facilities at Sir Thomas Abney our children have daily access to learn in their outdoor environment.

Forest School

 At Sir Thomas Abney children from Nursery through to Year 2 are able to enhance their love of our natural world by taking part in our Forest School. This supports our guiding principles in our Early Years and enables our children to develop a strong relationship between themselves and their natural world. Sir Thomas Abney Forest school was established in 2017 and continues to thrive each year.

STA's Forest School is run by our Early Years' Educator, Tina Parrott, who does a brilliant job of running all of the sessions for our children in Early Years and KS1. Here's her account of a recent term's work:

There's been lots of exploring, creating, messy play, digging, treasure hunts, tree climbing, den building, discovering habitats, climbing and balancing and lots more activities that all children can engage in.

Nursery are learning the Forest School rules and exploring the area, moving around freely. They have become more independent within their play and are eager to get outside to see what they can do and see. The mud and water play are popular with all of the children.

Reception are super quick at getting dressed independently for Forest School. They are full of questions and so curious!.

Balancing, climbing, digging, mud and water play are very popular. Discovering different habitats and bug hunting were a fun focus for this last term.

Year One have busied themselves with den building; designing dens, practising different ways of constructing them and sharing resources.

They finished the year with a treasure hunt, solving clues as a class and digging for treasure.

Year Two have been working to create an art and games area within the Forest School site. They have been painting small rocks to create pictures, noughts and crosses, connect 4 games and improving the role play area.

The golden painted rocks were used as part of a Jack and the Beanstalk storytelling session that the children loved.

Tools and mallets were used for banging sticks into the ground for a hoop game.

For more information about the teachings of Forest School and how this benefits your child you can read more here: Forest School

Your Child's learning

 Throughout the year we record our children’s learning on an online platform called Tapestry. Here you will have access to videos and photos showcasing your own child’s unique and personal learning journey.

Admission Information 

For full details of Reception applications and admission please go directly to the Hackney Education in Schools website: Hackney Education in Schools website

Useful Information for Parents

Click here to view key information about our current Early Years.

To download a free copy of the "What to expect, when?" guide click here. 

Useful Websites

 

https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/

https://literacytrust.org.uk/parents-and-families/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people

EYFS