A school ‘Welly Walk’ has been launched by Punnetts Town Primary School. The new walk completes a project between the High Weald Partnership’s Education Officer and the school to plan and develop the route. Following a special Welly Walk-themed assembly each pupil received a copy of the Welly Walk leaflet which has been printed for the school and the local community.
The 6km (3.8mile) circular Welly Walk starts and ends at the school gate and passes through rare wildflower meadows. The walk will make it easier for the school to run outdoor learning activities inspired by the history and wildlife of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the protected medieval landscape which surrounds Punnetts Town. Special features of the area which can be found on the school’s doorstep include historic routeways, steep-sided streams (or gills) and wildlife-rich ancient woodland.
Catherine Winter, Year 5 and 6 teacher, is enthusiastic about the value of the Welly Walk. “The children really enjoyed every aspect of the walk, from climbing stiles, enjoying the views (and the mud!) and having fun in the woods. The walk is a worthwhile experience as you can enjoy being in the outdoors and see how diverse our local countryside is."
The walk is the latest in a series of school Welly Walks that have been developed by the High Weald Partnership working with the area’s primary schools. There are now 54 High Weald Welly Walks across Kent, Sussex and Surrey, many of which are used by schools on a regular basis.