Winnie the Pooh Meets Outdoor Learning: Year 5 Navigate Ashdown Forest
Our Year 5 explorers left their desks behind and stepped into the whimsical world of Ashdown Forest — the inspiration behind A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. It was a day filled with adventure, imagination, and a hint of honey-loving bear inspiration!
With compasses in hand and maps at the ready, pupils set off in teams on a mission to navigate the forest, uncover local legends, and dive into its medieval past — all while channelling their inner Christopher Robin. Along the way, they mastered key navigation skills like finding cardinal directions and pacing out distances, proving that curiosity and teamwork beat GPS any day!
The forest came alive as children searched for hidden, Pooh-themed checkpoints. From Piglet’s hiding place to Owl’s perch, every stop sparked excitement - and learning. Midway through their journeys, pupils paused to hear Miss Newick read aloud one of A.A. Milne’s heartwarming tales from The Enchanted Places.
Then it was time for the iconic highlight: the Poohsticks Bridge! Cheers and laughter filled the forest as every pupil selected their perfect stick and joined the ultimate race, watching their chosen twig bob under the bridge and downstream.
To round off their woodland adventure, the children visited the much-loved Pooh Corner - and were delighted to find a special treat waiting: Winnie the Pooh-shaped sandwiches! A perfect ending to a day packed with exploration, resilience, and joy (not to mention glorious sunshine!).
