At Phoenix Bay, we know that education isn’t confined to a classroom.
For Mental Health Foundation Health Awareness Week, we took our entire school to Stover Country Park – a stunning 114-acre nature reserve just a short drive from our site.
This wasn’t just a day out. It was a chance to reconnect with nature, pause, breathe, and explore mental well-being in a hands-on, reflective way.
Mindfulness Scavenger Hunt:
Students explored the woodland and lakeside trails, searching for textures, sounds, and colours that helped them stay present and grounded.
Photography in Nature:
We combined the trip with an AQA unit on photography, encouraging students to observe their surroundings, capture moments of calm, and see the world through a creative lens.
Why it matters
Nature-based activities are known to reduce stress, boost focus, and improve emotional regulation. For our students – many of whom face social, emotional, or mental health challenges – these experiences are transformational.
Days like this are part of our trauma-informed approach: building trust, relationships, and positive experiences in environments that feel safe, soothing, and inspiring.
