We are delighted that Francis Holland Junior School has been Highly Commended in the Muddy Stilettos Schools Awards in the Best Experiential Learning category for our bespoke outdoor learning programme, Francis Holland Foresters, launched following the pandemic, which takes girls in all Junior year groups on adventures to Wimbledon Common, Norbury Park and beyond.

At Francis Holland Junior School, we believe that outdoor education and learning through experience is essential to help children develop problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills with growth mindset from a young age; skills that will equip them for a fast-changing world where dynamism, resilience and innovative thinking are increasingly fundamental.

Francis Holland Foresters is distinctly linked to our Junior School curriculum, allowing our staff to collaborate and create unique activities and experiences for girls of all ages. We specifically link activities outside the classroom to activities within the classroom, engaging the students in hands on experiences and enabling us to use our classroom time to reflect on the experiences that have taken place outside, thereby contributing to curriculum work.

In addition, our increasing focus on sustainability in the Junior School, which resulted in us being awarded the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag last year, has been greatly enhanced by the appreciation of the beauty and wonder of the natural world derived from the girls’ Forest School experiences, including their new bushcraft skills.

Thank you so much to Muddy Stilettos for recognising our unique programme and to all the students and staff who have made it such a success, with particular mention to our two chief foresters: Helen Pople and Will Russell.