Island gets behind forest school plan

A COMMUNITY company on Skye is backing plans to establish a forest school on the island.

In 2012, Broadford Primary School pupils said they would like to use their community woodland to build dens, watch animals, put up bird houses, collect pine cones and more.

Keen to see the community forest meet the wishes of a wide cross section of the community, Broadford and Strath Community Company has been working to make the children’s wishes a reality.

The directors of the community company have now announced an award of £32,500 from the Aspiring Communities Fund to explore the options for a woodland school.

Project officer Shirley Grant will now prepare a business plan and submit a funding application.

The forest school could include after school care or activities, nature clubs, an outdoor nursery, outdoor classroom sessions and/or school holiday activity days.

Over the next two to three months, Shirley will be arranging a community meeting to allow the community to find out more about forest schools and to gather views from parents and children on how they would like to see the school function.

All community members are encouraged to contribute ideas. Contact Shirley at shirley@broadfordandstrath. org or on 07896 658490.

This project is funded through Aspiring Communities Fund with support from European Social Fund.