News & Events
Summer 2009
The Glastonbury Trust Labyrinth Project
The Labyrinth Project
Hindhayes Infants School, Street - May 2009
The Glastonbury Trust spent 3 days in a local infant school, delivering a package of activities themes around labyrinths. This was part of a long-term committment to Hindhayes Infants School in Street to increase the level of outdoor learning. Two methods of constructing temporary labyrinths were used,
with the emphasis on accessibility to children of that age group. The Year 2 children made a 10 metre wide 7 circuit classical labyrinth using ropes of different colours and Year 1 made 3 circuit classical labyrinthsout of beach pebbles (purchased from Morrison's at 45p per bag!)
The three days at Hindhayes proved an ideal testbed, with varied weather conditions including heavy rain. At one stage it was necessary to construct a shelter with a tarpaulin in order to continue activities. To optimise access to the tasks each class was divided into groups of 16, which were further sub-divided into groups of 8, with two outdoor activities on offer.
The programme was developed in consultation with all the staff. Part of the programme included some 1:1 work and 2 twilight sessions. We used the consultation to write a handbook for the school to support all the activities taking place in the 3 day programme. This was a very successful event involving the whole school community and developed an almost 'festival' feel, particulalry when the reception class planted their flags and windmills round the labyrinth.
Conference and Training Day,
Forest School and Labyrinths
In June we had our annual conference/training day at Abbey House, Glastonbury, on the theme of labyrinths and Forest School development. John Blaney (Bridgwater College Forest School) and Sig Lonegren (author on labyrinths themes), gave the keynote talks . This was followed by a series of practical sessions in which small groups of teachers each made a labyrinth. In the afternoon there were Forest School activities and a planning exercise to develop curriculum based lesson materials incorporating labyrinth use. The important thing we established in our time at Hindayes is that children as young as year 1 can access labyrinth construction as well as use.
Introducing Forest School at St. Ben's Primary School, Glastonbury
The children's days took place in St. Dunstan's School Gardens, which has a good selection of trees and wild areas. We plan to run more activity days for St. Ben's in the Autumn Term - this time in our wood, which is currently undergoing some necessary health & safety work. 
St. Ben's teachers were also privileged to christen our new compost toilet! The toilet was built by a mix of paid and volunteer adults, utlising timber entirely sourced from the wood. This is labour intensive (carting it to the sawmill etc) and involved some interesting experiences figuring out how to move logs up slopes etc..
The presence of a toilet will enable us to bring much younger children to the woods as well as providing relief for the adults who like a bit of comfort.
We fifty somethings watched with some envy whilst our 18 year old tree surgeon, George, climbed trees like the proverbial monkey and handled a chainsaw like he was born with one strapped to his waist. We have plans to build a drying shed come rain shelter next year, hopefully utilising KS4 Vocational Studies students from local schools. Watch this space!