Something special happened at Pennthorpe School on Saturday 9th May. Families, children and staff gathered to officially open a brand new Farm and Forest School, a vibrant outdoor learning environment that brings together the school’s woodland, a working farm, and a beautiful open-air classroom, all in service of one simple belief: that happy, confident children flourish when they are given the space to truly explore the world around them.
At the heart of the project is Pennthorpe’s deeply held commitment to skills-based education. In a world that is changing faster than any curriculum can keep pace with, the school has long championed the idea that resilience, collaboration, independence, ambition and reflection enhance academic progress and knowledge. The forest and the farm offer children something the classroom alone cannot: real, unpredictable, hands-on experiences that build character as naturally as they build confidence.
“We don’t rush childhood at Pennthorpe, we celebrate it. This wonderful new space gives our pupils the freedom to take risks, work together, care for living things and discover what they are truly capable of. That is an education that lasts a lifetime.” – Jon Marler, Head of School, Pennthorpe School
Pupil wellbeing is woven throughout the programme. Regular time outdoors is known to reduce anxiety, improve focus and nurture a positive sense of self and at Pennthorpe, the farm adds something particularly powerful. When children take responsibility for caring for animals, they develop empathy, patience and a quiet pride in nurturing something beyond themselves. It is learning that goes straight to the heart.
The project is a testament to the Pennthorpe community at its best. The Friends of Pennthorpe fundraised tirelessly to make it possible, and the school’s Estates Team brought the vision to life with skill and dedication. On opening day, families explored the woodland, made nature crowns, tried bark rubbings and clay faces, met the school’s newest animal residents, and shared bacon baps in the sunshine, exactly the kind of joyful, connected morning that Pennthorpe does so well.
