A FAMILY-FRIENDLY forest school based at Millthorpe School in York has bagged two gongs at this year’s Little Viking Awards.

Wild Things Family Forest School walked away with awards for best active class and best place for hot chocolate.

Wild Things runs regular sessions for children aged between 18 months and four years and their parent/carer, within a private wooded area in the grounds at the school.

During the sessions there are lots of activities to stimulate independent play and allow children’s natural curiosity to develop, for example, binoculars, magnifying glasses, mud kitchen, mud painting, and den building.

At the end of each session everyone gets a hot chocolate with marshmallows toasted on an open fire – weather permitting!

Staff and students at Millthorpe School have worked closely with Wild Things owner, Emma Hills, over the last year.

Students studying child development have undertaken work placements and child studies for their final coursework assessments and the Millthorpe team has also enabled Wild Things to develop the wooded area to suit their requirements, providing the best possible setting in which to deliver their forest school sessions.

Emma said: “I’m thrilled with the awards! I want to thank everyone at Millthorpe for giving me the opportunity to use the outdoor space at the school.

“I love it in the wooded area with the pond and allotment space, as do the children and the parents who come along to Wild Things.

“I really appreciate the freedom they’ve given me to develop the area into a great space for children to play and learn.”

The Forest School takes place on the school grounds by the pond at Millthorpe every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Further information can be found at www.wildthingsyork.co.uk