Panshanger Park Forest School celebrates first anniversary

Local MP Sir Oliver Heald congratulates Tarmac and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

PANSHANGER Park Forest School at Tarmac’s Panshanger Park has celebrated its first anniversary with a visit from Sir Oliver Heald QC, MP for North East Hertfordshire, and leaders from Tarmac and Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

The Forest School, which opened in February 2015, offers outdoor learning opportunities for children aged three to 18. In its first year the Forest School welcomed more than 500 children from 24 local schools.

Sir Oliver Heald said: ‘I was delighted to see the Forest School on its first anniversary and would like to congratulate everybody involved, particularly Becky Shenton [the Forest School officer] and the team at Tarmac.

‘We are very lucky to have Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust in our area and to benefit from the great work they do.’

The Forest School is funded by Tarmac, the owners of Panshanger Park, and delivered in partnership with Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust.

Lesley Davies, chief executive of the Trust, said: ‘I am really proud of what the Forest School has achieved in its first year. It’s a real inspiration to see children learning about wildlife, enjoying being outdoors and developing their confidence.

‘We are looking forward to welcoming more children to the school and helping them connect with each other and the natural world.’

Stuart Wykes, director of land and natural resources at Tarmac, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Panshanger Park’s Forest School and our partnership with the Wildlife Trust with Sir Oliver.

‘The school demonstrates what can be achieved when organizations work in collaboration with each other. I look forward to seeing other local schools take advantage of the Forest School in the coming years.’