St Mary’s Hosts TRUST Pupil Voice Day – A Celebration of Outdoor Learning and Connection

St Mary’s was proud to host this year’s TRUST Pupil Voice event, welcoming pupils from across the Trust to experience a day rooted in creativity, nature, and collaboration. Set within our beautiful woodland area, the day was designed to inspire curiosity, spark imagination, and give children a powerful voice in shaping their learning experiences.

From the moment the children arrived, the forest came alive with excitement and energy. Pupils were grouped with peers from other schools, encouraging new friendships and promoting teamwork from the outset. The range of activities on offer throughout the day allowed every child to find something that sparked their interest and offered opportunities to engage with nature in meaningful, hands-on ways.

One of the standout sessions was Hapa Zome, a traditional Japanese art form that involves hammering leaves and flowers onto fabric to transfer their natural dyes. Children were fascinated to see how vibrant pigments emerged from simple plants, and they proudly displayed their nature-dyed cloths as unique keepsakes. The process was not only artistic but meditative, encouraging focus and appreciation for the hidden colours of the forest.

Elsewhere, pupils took part in whittling workshops, carefully shaping small wooden objects under the guidance of staff and learning about the safe and respectful use of tools. These sessions sparked rich conversations around sustainability and the importance of using natural resources responsibly.

A particular highlight for many was the mud kitchen and digging area, where pupils could fully embrace messy, sensory play. Armed with buckets, trowels, and their imaginations, they created everything from pretend soups and pies to elaborate digging projects. This kind of open-ended play allowed for creative expression and physical engagement with the earth – a joyful reminder of how grounding and liberating it can be to simply play outdoors.

Throughout the day, pupils were encouraged to share their thoughts, reflections, and ideas about learning in nature, forming the core of the Pupil Voice focus. They discussed what they valued most about outdoor education and how they’d like to see it included more regularly in their school experiences. Staff carefully gathered these insights, which will inform future planning and ensure pupil perspectives remain central to our Trust’s vision.

The event concluded with a warm and communal fire circle, where everyone gathered to toast marshmallows and make delicious s’mores. As laughter and the smell of melting chocolate filled the air, there was a real sense of togetherness and achievement. Pupils reflected on their favourite moments, and many expressed how the day had helped them feel more connected — not just to nature, but to one another.

Hosting the TRUST Pupil Voice at St Mary’s was a privilege and a celebration of everything we value about outdoor learning: creativity, curiosity, connection, and community. We look forward to continuing these conversations and adventures throughout the year, guided by the voices and visions of our children.