Since February, pupils from Florence Brown Community Special School have been building a timber framed outdoor classroom as part of this ground-breaking Forest of Avon project in North Somerset.

Tuesday May 12 saw the start of two days of intense activity to raise the structure of the new timber frame building in Ashton Hill Wood, Failand.  

The shelter, measuring 5m x 4m, has been constructed under the expert guidance of Clare Walter of Oak Frame Buildings - a timber frame builder with experience of teaching young people and working on community projects. The trees used for the building were felled and milled on site and, to minimise damage to the woodland, shire horses were used to drag the felled timber to the build site.

Timber milling and working horses - not the kind of things Bristol teenagers ordinarily come into contact with, but just the kind of experience the Forest of Avon want to offer young people with their Woodwise programme.

While the building itself will clearly enhance the woodland for the local and wider community, a project like this also greatly benefits the pupils themselves. Working outdoors and spending time in the natural environment is especially important for these 13-16 year olds. As Lucas Wellington, Off-Site Co-ordinator at Florence Brown School says - "These guys have really benefited from being out in the woods. Some of them don't cope well in a classroom situation. Being out in the woods helps us to form the relationships we need to be able to teach them. And they are also learning valuable life skills. Add that to the increase in self esteem and sense of achievement they will feel and the difference is massive."

The finished structure will remain in the woodland to be used by other groups and individuals. Ashton Hill Wood, which is owned and managed by the Forestry Commission, is open to the public at all times and is well used by local residents and visitors. The shelter could be used by individuals as a place to stop and rest and by local schools and groups as an outdoor classroom.

Lorne Campbell, Area Forester for the Forestry Commission, has provided resources for the project and is very supportive - ‘Ashton Hill is for the benefit of the community therefore it's great to have their direct involvement in improving the woodland as a place to visit'.

Forest of Avon Woodwise was set up to provide a programme of outdoor learning opportunities for young people with special needs. The Ashton Hill Wood project is the first under the Woodwise umbrella and is quite possibly the first of its kind anywhere. The project was initiated by Chris Weedon, Local Projects Manager at the Forest of Avon, with funding and support from North Somerset Council; the Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust, and the Forestry Commission.

Chris is very excited about the project - ‘When the school, first approached the Forest of Avon, we thought it was a wonderful idea but it's a very complex project and we were not sure if we would be able to pull all the necessary ingredients together. The way so many individuals and organisations have got behind this project with support, expertise and funding is really heartening. Good will and enthusiasm has made this whole thing possible and it will be really encouraging for these young people to feel the level of support and encouragement people have shown for them and their project.'

For more information, contact chris.weedon@forestofavon.org.uk