PUPILS at Bournemouth's Talbot Heath School will get the chance to get close to nature thanks to a new initiative.

The school's Parent Staff Society has enlisted the help of Wild Wood Forest School in Hampshire to establish a Forest School.

The philosophy of Forest School was based upon the desire to provide children with an education which encouraged appreciation of the natural world and a responsibility for its conservation, whilst supporting the development of each child’s self-esteem, confidence and social skills.

All Talbot Heath pupils between the ages of three and 18 will get the chance to use the facilities, which include fire pits dug by the site team.

Sawing and chopping areas have been built and camps have been prepared for the venture

Pre-prep and junior children will have specific sessions in the woods, while senior pupils will have a chance to get involved during their lunchtimes.

A launch event is planned for the summer, entitled Voices in the Woods, which will provide a celebration of the woodland through pieces of literature and art produced by the pupils, inspired by the woods.

The campus woodland has always been a fundamental part of school life and a learning environment at Talbot Heath, going back 100 years, and this initiative promises to make the most of the resource.