We need to rebuild our vibrant Heartwood Forest School after suffering three vandalism attacks since September. Sadly, the school does not have 'spare' funds to cover these mindless spates, so I want to help by crowdfunding. Let's all help get Heartwood Forest School back to its established state for the sake of the children in our community who need it more than ever. They have been heartbroken to understand their safe space of learning has been violated and while all staff have taken appropriate measures to support the children to understand and adapt to this short-term change and upset, it is still traumatising for them nonetheless.

Heartwood Forest School opened in September 2018 after months of hard work and determination by the staff at Swaffham Infant and Nursery School, donations from the school community and local businesses. We spent our own time planning fundraising events, soak the Teaching Assistant being the most popular! Families of the school happily supported all fundraising events and the Friends of Swaffham Infant and Nursery School purchased a large bulk of equipment needed. With the help of the children we secured five hundred pounds worth of equipment through a Local School Nature Grant which is a project managed by Learning Through Landscapes. It was heart-warming to witness the school community coming together to create this much needed outdoor learning environment for the children. We need your help again to maintain this until the vandals are caught, but also so we can raise funds to install equipment that will assist in preventing this happening again. So much time was taken from our children's learning last week, contacting police, cleaning up the forest and ensuring it is safe again.

Heartwood Forest School enables over two-hundred children, aged between three and seven years, at Swaffham Infant and Nursery School, to connect with nature in a weekly Forest School session. In these two to three-hour sessions children are motivated, engaged and inspired, being able to use all their senses to investigate, test and follow their own curiosities in the world around them, developing a respect for nature. They have gained first-hand experiences of the seasons and the weather. We have learnt about the flora and fauna that inhabits our forest. Children are able to construct dens, climb trees, practice knot tying, use real tools, build fire lays and light fires. Forest School has enabled children to problem solve, take supported risks and build positive attitudes. These newly learnt skills contribute to raising the children's self-esteem, resulting in their confidence flourishing, alongside peer relationships, also. It is truly magical to observe and facilitate. Especially when children are able to apply skills learnt in the classroom to the forest and vice versa - this truly is an invaluable holistic learning space that provides for every learning style.

To date, over the last three attacks, items and equipment that have been stolen or vandalised include: wooden tree sings, tyre swing, wooden see-saw, mud kitchen, a play bus, hammers, tarpaulins/bashas, camouflage nets, bird table, padlocks, boundary fence, gardening tools including child sized and wheelbarrows.

Nature has also been destroyed or damaged including: Two established young trees, two fruit trees in the gardening area, willow tunnel, willow dome and low level branches.

How will your donation help?

All donations will go directly to Swaffham Infant and Nursery School to be used to rebuild Heartwood Forest School. New resources and equipment will be purchased to replace all items destroyed in the vandalism attacks. Outdoor security systems and measures will be installed and carried out to deter further attacks.

If we raise more than the target amount, the excess will be used to purchase further equipment and resources, so Heartwood Forest School can grow and develop its learning environment for the children.

I will keep all supporters updated throughout our journey to rebuild Heartwood Forest School.

We will not be beaten by these vandals. I am determined to ensure Heartwood Forest School continues to promote the holistic development of all the children, fostering resilience, confidence, independence and creativity.

Many thanks from all the staff, children and families at Swaffham CE VC Infant and Nursery School.

Further Information

Please click on the links below to read local press articles and watch a short video in relation to the mindless vandalism attacks:

https://www.wattonandswaffhamtimes.co.uk/news/swaffham-infant-and-nursery-school-vandalised-for-3rd-time-1-6019089

https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/fury-as-vandals-wreck-swaffham-schools-outdoor-learning-area-9068437/