IN scenes reminiscent of Glastonbury Festival, pupils two local schools celebrated their annual mud day; splashing, rolling, squishing, sliding and generally having fun in mud!
All 150 pupils and staff at Beckington CofE First School in Beckington and Mells CofE First School in Mells took part in the event, which is held every year at the schools to coincide with International Mud Day. Children enjoyed outdoor mud bathing, making mud potions and pictures, a special mud slide and concocting mud pies – most of which were aimed at their teachers!
Claire Chantler, executive headteacher at Beckington & Mells Church School Federation, commented, “There are many proven benefits to mud play and it provides so many opportunities to be creative. It engages all the senses resulting in a highly stimulated brain and scientists believe that regular connection with mud reduces a child’s vulnerability to depression, stress and anxiety. We have a fabulous outdoor space at both schools which we use every single day, come rain or shine, as we believe children need to be around nature.”
Beckington and Mells Church School Federation is formed of two first schools on the outskirts of Frome; Mells CofE First School and Beckington CofE First School. The two schools federated in September 2019 and share an executive headteacher. The schools’ vision is to create a safe, caring and aspirational learning community, inspired by Christian values, where children thrive through challenge, friendship, fun and belonging.
Spaces are currently avail- able at both schools for children aged between four and nine. For further information, please call 01373 830438.
