The new outdoor learning club connects Old Oak pupils with nature – and now they’re looking to branch out to more schools
A new outdoor learning initiative at Wormwood Scrubs is giving young pupils from Old Oak Primary School the chance to connect with nature, develop teamwork skills, and explore their local environment. The forest school, an afterschool club funded by The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust and delivered by Urbanwise London, has proven to be a resounding success, with plans now underway to expand it to more schools in the borough.
The programme, which caters to Year One and Year Two students, has been designed to support all learning styles, including those of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Through a mix of hands-on activities and outdoor exploration, children aged six to eight are developing confidence in nature while acquiring valuable physical and social skills.
Strengthening Their Roots
Among the club’s most popular activities are bug hunting, den building, and storytelling in the woods. Students have also enjoyed making conker necklaces, playing hide and seek, and gathering for snacks in a woodland setting, fostering both creativity and a sense of adventure.
Carolina De Toledo Fattori, who runs the club, highlights the immense benefits of forest school, saying: “This initiative is fantastic for developing physical motor skills, self-confidence, and an emotional awareness of the natural world. The outdoors is the perfect place to see how concepts learned in the classroom can be applied to real-life situations.”
By keeping group sizes small, the programme encourages children to gain confidence in different social settings while fostering a deep appreciation for the environment.
A New Leaf for Forest School
The afterschool club recently concluded an eight-week pilot programme that took place over six months, allowing students to explore the woodland through autumn, winter, and spring. The overwhelming popularity of the sessions led to the introduction of additional morning sessions for under-fives and their parents at the Old Oak Community Centre Family Hub.
Due to the programme’s success, The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust is now seeking to expand the initiative to other local schools. This will be made possible through a dedicated fundraising campaign and a matching contribution from the Trust, ensuring that even more children have the opportunity to benefit from outdoor learning.
Cllr Alex Sanderson, Deputy Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Chair of The Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust, praised the programme: “It’s been fantastic to hear about the forest school pilot and how much the students have loved it. I hope the Trust can extend these sessions to new schools, allowing even more children to explore one of our best green spaces in H&F.”
A Spectacular Natural Setting
Spanning 76.8 hectares, Wormwood Scrubs is the largest open space in Hammersmith & Fulham and home to more than 200 species of wildflowers and 100 species of birds. Recognised with a Green Flag award in 2023, the site meets Keep Britain Tidy’s high standards for the best parks in the country.
The council continues to invest in preserving and enhancing the Scrubs. Recent improvements include the installation of automatic bollards to prevent unauthorised vehicle access and ongoing investment in sports infrastructure at Linford Christie Stadium. Additionally, the Trust and the Council have secured a £4 million funding package from HS2 to support the development of an Ecological Masterplan.
To celebrate these achievements and further engage the local community, the Trust is planning a community event in autumn 2025. More details will be shared on social media in the coming months.
With the success of the forest school and plans for expansion, Hammersmith & Fulham is ensuring that future generations can continue to learn, explore, and grow in a vibrant and sustainable green space.
