An innovative “forest school” with outdoor classrooms and its own herd of alpacas is set to open in Norfolk.
The seal of approval to plans submitted by businessman Maurice Briggs to build the alternative education centre was given by South Norfolk Council’s planning committee gave its .
Built on 20 acres of woodland near Wymondham, the school will offer courses to young children, adults with learning difficulties and people at risk of social isolation.
The concept, which was first introduced to the UK about 25 years ago, will offer a distinct approach to teaching and learning with by encouraging pupils to move away from computers and into nature.
While there will be no electricity on site, the school will have a number of yurts and woodland shelters designed to inspire children to learn through hands-on experiences.
1/16 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
A two-year-old Prince Harry holds the hand of his mother, Princess Diana, at Aberdeen Airport. (1986)
Photo by Carraro/REX
2/16 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Aged two years old, Prince William is photographed outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, London, following the birth of his younger brother Prince Harry. (1984)
Photo by Mauro Carraro/REX
3/16 Prince George
Prince George arrives for his first day of school at Thomas’s London Day School in Battersea. (2017)
AFP/Getty Images
4/16 Princess Charlotte
Princess Charlotte waves on the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as she arrives at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. (2018)
Photo by Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images
5/16 Prince Louis
A newborn Prince Louis is pictured outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, London. (23 April 2018)
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images
6/16 Queen Elizabeth II
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, aged three or four years old. (circa 1929-1930)
Photo by Universal History Archive/REX
7/16 Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Margaret is pictured alongside her elder sister Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Elizabeth carries a purse embroidered with the letter “E” and a crown. (circa 1933)
Photo by Richard Gardner/REX
8/16 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip is pictured in Corfu, Greece, at the age of 14 months. (1922)
Photo by REX
9/16 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles waves after his parents Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh as they drive a procession of welcome following their return from Canada (1951)
AFP/Getty Images
10/16 Prince Andrew, Duke of York
A six-year-old Prince Andrew looks out from a window at Buckingham Palace. (1966)
Photo by McCabe/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
11/16 Princess Anne, Princess Royal
An official portrait is taken of Princess Anne, a day before her fourth birthday. (1954)
STF/AFP/Getty Images
12/16 Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
A four-year-old Prince Edward turns in his seat as he attends the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show. (1968)
Photo by P. Felix/Daily Express/Getty Images
13/16 Princess Beatrice
A two-year-old Princess Beatrice sits underneath a presentation table at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, holding a fluffy toy. (1991)
Bill Cross/Daily Mail/REX
14/16 Princess Eugenie
A young Princess Eugenie holds her mother, the Duchess of York’s hand as she leaves Upton House School Windsor on her elder sister’s first day of school. (1991)
Photo by Mike Forster/ANL/REX
15/16 Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall
A four-year-old Camilla Parker Bowles, later the Duchess of Cornwall, is pictured with her two-year-old sister Annabel. (1952)
Photo by Ann Cleaver/REX
16/16 Zara Phillips
Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show aged two. Zara went on to become an equestrian and Olympian. (1983)
Photo by Paul Massey/Mail On Sunday/REX
1/16 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
A two-year-old Prince Harry holds the hand of his mother, Princess Diana, at Aberdeen Airport. (1986)
Photo by Carraro/REX
2/16 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
Aged two years old, Prince William is photographed outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, London, following the birth of his younger brother Prince Harry. (1984)
Photo by Mauro Carraro/REX
3/16 Prince George
Prince George arrives for his first day of school at Thomas’s London Day School in Battersea. (2017)
AFP/Getty Images
4/16 Princess Charlotte
Princess Charlotte waves on the steps of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as she arrives at the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank. (2018)
Photo by Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty Images
5/16 Prince Louis
A newborn Prince Louis is pictured outside the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital, London. (23 April 2018)
Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images
6/16 Queen Elizabeth II
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, aged three or four years old. (circa 1929-1930)
Photo by Universal History Archive/REX
7/16 Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Margaret is pictured alongside her elder sister Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Elizabeth carries a purse embroidered with the letter “E” and a crown. (circa 1933)
Photo by Richard Gardner/REX
8/16 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip is pictured in Corfu, Greece, at the age of 14 months. (1922)
Photo by REX
9/16 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles waves after his parents Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh as they drive a procession of welcome following their return from Canada (1951)
AFP/Getty Images
10/16 Prince Andrew, Duke of York
A six-year-old Prince Andrew looks out from a window at Buckingham Palace. (1966)
Photo by McCabe/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
11/16 Princess Anne, Princess Royal
An official portrait is taken of Princess Anne, a day before her fourth birthday. (1954)
STF/AFP/Getty Images
12/16 Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
A four-year-old Prince Edward turns in his seat as he attends the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show. (1968)
Photo by P. Felix/Daily Express/Getty Images
13/16 Princess Beatrice
A two-year-old Princess Beatrice sits underneath a presentation table at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, holding a fluffy toy. (1991)
Bill Cross/Daily Mail/REX
14/16 Princess Eugenie
A young Princess Eugenie holds her mother, the Duchess of York’s hand as she leaves Upton House School Windsor on her elder sister’s first day of school. (1991)
Photo by Mike Forster/ANL/REX
15/16 Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall
A four-year-old Camilla Parker Bowles, later the Duchess of Cornwall, is pictured with her two-year-old sister Annabel. (1952)
Photo by Ann Cleaver/REX
16/16 Zara Phillips
Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show aged two. Zara went on to become an equestrian and Olympian. (1983)
Photo by Paul Massey/Mail On Sunday/REX
“The focus is on physical development for strong mental health and keeping active while being at one with nature,” the application said.
Other activities at the school will include growing, harvesting and den building, and it will be open on weekdays between 8am and 5pm.
It will also offer activities outside school term times, closing only for two weeks over Christmas.
According to the Forest School Association (FSA), forest schools originated from Denmark in the 19th century.
However, they were only introduced in the UK during the Nineties.
A recent study conducted by Loughborough University, forest schools can contribute to the development of collaborative learning skills, by encouraging children to work with others on challenging outdoor activities.
The findings also suggested that this type of ‘experiential’ learning appears to equip children with practical skills and an appreciation for being outdoors, which they can then transfer to family activities outside of school.
Danielle Marsh, a forest school leader at Westwards Nursery said: “It is a fabulous opportunity for children to explore the outdoor environment, develop a connection with nature and improve a whole range of skills from personal, social and emotional, to physical development and communication.
“They really enjoy participating in the activities and learning all about the woodland.”
