CHILDREN at a Darlington school left the classroom for a woodland adventure as part of an initiative to promote the importance of outdoor learning.

Polam Hall held the event in its grounds for its younger pupils to experience nature and learn through a fun activities.

The three to five-year-olds and their parents enjoyed making stickmen, mud pies, planting pea seeds in compost, building dens and making bark rubbing pictures.

As well as helping children from an early age learn to appreciate the environment around them, the event also formed part of the school’s efforts to help its reception pupils move up into the main school.

Angela Foster, head of Polam Hall’s junior school, said: “We pride ourselves on our work at the foundation stage and fully appreciate that it is the child’s first steps away from mum and home.

“We offer an open door policy and encourage parents to participate in school events and have an attractive indoor and outdoor environment where the children are encouraged to learn at their own rate of development and become more confident individuals.

“The woodlands adventure was a fantastic day, everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed their experiences and went home exhausted but extremely happy and we look forward to doing it again soon.”