SIXTY children at a Poole school have benefitted from taking some lessons in an outdoor classroom environment.

Pupils at Sylvan Infant School in Parkstone have enjoyed weekly lessons with Victoria Vincent, leader of the Bournemouth-based Kith and Kin Forest School, which offers the chance for children learn outside through the seasons and with nature.

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils have taken part in the programme and Carrie Steele, the school's deputy head, says attainment has seen a remarkable improvement in all areas, ranging from 58-per-cent to 89-per-cent increases.

Victoria, who previously worked for Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: "I understand the difficulties many schools have in incorporating outdoor learning as a regular thing to their curriculum, and the costs involved if they were to transport children off site.

"I wanted Kith and Kin to be fully mobile so I can turn up with all equipment and resources, and all the school needs to provide is a bit of outdoor space for us to work in.

"The aim of pupils' learning is about the natural environment and using their outdoor experiences to help improve their classroom studies back in school."

For more information, go to Kithkinforestschools.co.uk