Every Friday, Colvend and Palnackie Primaries come together, thanks to funding from the council, to share learning experiences with a focus on the outdoors.
These two one-teacher schools, each with a single multi-composite class which allow for a family feel in a community environment, come together to learn with and from each other.
These together days have seen the schools learning about children’s rights and receiving their Rights Respecting Schools Bronze Award by taking part in lessons and activities where children are encouraged to learn about and stand up for their rights and have an understanding of what this means for them.
Ben Wild, who has many years of experience of outdoor learning and a passion for the inclusivity of outdoor education, has led the children in some of these lessons using the fantastic facilities including an orchard and a forest area on the school grounds.
The lessons have included fire pits, school trips, foraging, bird watching, den building and growing and cooking their own food.
The schools are currently working on developing their outdoor space further to help pupils raise attainment through the use of these spaces.
With the council funding and with support from the local organisations including RSPB Mersehead and the Crichton Carbon Centre, the school will continue to be able to deliver quality outdoor learning experiences in its rural setting and offer opportunities for various school trips and building the learning communities.
