Pupils practice bushcraft and survival skills

Pupils at Highgate Hill House School, an independent, co-educational school for children with special educational needs aged 5 to 16 years, near Holsworthy, have been putting their bushcraft and survival skills to the test.

Practical Skills Instructor Ollie Norton and Learning Support Assistant Izzy Skelton, recently completed a residential Bushcraft Competency Certificate with Biblins Bushcraft in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, and are sharing their new-found skills with pupils.

Practical Skills Instructor, Ollie, said: “The course covered the safe use of tools, creating fire, bowdrills, safe water, shelter, tree identification, natural navigation and creating cord from natural device - basically everything you need to be able to survive in the wilderness using what you can find in your natural surroundings”.

LSA, Izzy Skelton, added: “The course was pretty intense, nothing other than tap water is carried into the camp so it really was living in the wilderness for the three days

Head Teacher, Vicky Skelton, said: “The children’s first taste of bushcraft was learning how to create fire from friction, using just cotton wool, a charcoal stick, hay and some elbow grease!”

School founder and Director, Sir Peter Birkett, added: “So many children are completely detached from the natural world around them, and learning bushcraft and survival skills fits perfectly with our Outdoor Learning ethos. It’s a great way to learn about sustainability, and of course some valuable life skills”.

For more information about Highgate Hill House School, please visit www.hhhschool.co.uk, email headteacher@hhhschool.co.uk or call 01288 341998.