WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Pupils at Fressingfield Church of England Primary School swapped the classroom for the countryside today as they took part in the school’s Walk on the Wild Side sponsored event, which was officially launched by Steve Backshall, raising funds towards a new outdoor classroom on the school field.

The walk, inspired by the popular Deadly 60 series, challenged children to complete a series of wildlife-themed activities along a muddy but memorable route around the local area. Pupils were asked to move like different animals along the way, including crab-walking to the next marker and completing frog jumps, helping them stay active while learning through play.

Adding to the sense of adventure, a life-size cut-out of naturalist and broadcaster and children’s TV superstar Steve Backshall guided the children along the route, encouraging them as they tackled each challenge.

The link to Steve Backshall was more than just visual. Ahead of the walk, he recorded a special video message for the pupils of Fressingfield, officially launching the event and wishing them luck. The video was shared on the school’s Facebook page, creating excitement and anticipation in the lead-up to the walk.

The sponsored event was organised to raise money to help fund the development of an outdoor classroom, supporting hands-on learning and greater connection with nature. Children, staff and volunteers embraced the challenge despite muddy conditions, with families showing strong support through sponsorship and encouragement.

Head of School Jeremy Leicester said:

“Walk on the Wild Side was a brilliant example of our children learning beyond the classroom. The enthusiasm, resilience and teamwork they showed was fantastic to see, and having Steve Backshall involved, even virtually, made the day feel really special. We are incredibly grateful to our families and community for supporting the walk and helping us move closer to creating an outdoor classroom that will benefit pupils for years to come.”

The event builds on the school’s commitment to outdoor learning and community involvement, with funds raised contributing directly to improving learning facilities for current and future pupils.