CLASSROOMS at Froxfield Church of England Primary School emptied for a day so pupils could spend time outdoors in woods, around the village and on the village recreation ground.

With thousands of schools across the world, the 80-plus Froxfield pupils took part in National Empty Classroom Day, May 18.

Headteacher Vickie Farrow said: “This meant that all of the children’s learning had to take place out of the classroom, whatever the weather.

“Fortunately, unlike the previous day, Thursday started sunny, calm and dry, and the children had an incredible day taking part in numerous activities.

“There were adventures in the playground, in the local woods, on the recreation ground and in and around the village.

“Sessions were led by Mollie Butters from The Field Farm Project as well as Victoria Primrose and Debbie Cooke, both of whom run Adventurers Forest School after school clubs at Froxfield and other schools.

“Class teachers also organised a number of activities for the children.

“The day also featured problem-solving activities.

“These included a low ropes course in the woods, a blindfold team challenge and a spider’s web activity.

“Bush craft also played a big part, and the children made charcoal from scratch.

“They then created their own artistic designs on cut up tree trunks using the charcoal,

“They also learnt how to light a fire and enjoyed toasting marshmallows over the fire.

“And there were outdoor games and crafts as well as a mini beast hunt on the recreation ground.

“The whole day was absolutely brilliant, the children thoroughly enjoyed it and they asked if we can do it all over again.

”It was clearly an exciting, rich and memorable learning experience for the children.”