{"id":1173,"date":"2025-03-23T12:02:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T12:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2026-09-30T08:58:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T08:58:30","slug":"west-coventry-academy-in-the-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/west-coventry-academy-in-the-wild\/","title":{"rendered":"West Coventry Academy Year 7 In the Wild &#8211; 5 Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its been a privilege to work with the Year 7 Students at West Coventry Academy running our five week <a href=\"https:\/\/happyconfidentkids.com\/what-we-do\/in-the-wild\/\">In the Wild<\/a> programme, getting to know the learners and educators, showing them loads of tools to help them access calm, confidence and learn to be in the present moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We started our \u201cIn the Wild&#8221; programme with Year 7 as staff identified that many learners were experiencing challenges in the transition to secondary. The programme provided an opportunity for staff to connect with the cohort, facilitate peer interaction, introduce wellbeing tools, and foster a lasting relationship with nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key Observations and Outcomes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Addressing Initial Anxieties Towards Nature<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Developing Comfort and Respect for the Natural Environment<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enhancing Focus and Presence Through Storytelling<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Positive Impact on Teacher Wellbeing<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fostering Community Building and Rapport<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Encouraging Play and Creativity<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Addressing a Lack of Basic Nature Knowledge<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mastering Mindful Breathing for Self-Regulation<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support from 6th formers<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Effective Identification and Referral for Additional Support<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Teacher Feedback Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teachers consistently praised the opportunity to be in nature, even for short periods, noting the positive impact on learner mood and behaviour. They observed learners being calmer and more relaxed and appreciated the programme&#8217;s ability to explain the benefits of being out in nature in a way that learners could relate to. The calm and different environment was seen as conducive to learning and provided a chance to &#8220;see the learners in a different light.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Learner Feedback Highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learners reported enjoying various activities, the experience of being outdoors, and the calming effects of the natural environment. Many valued the escape from the classroom and specifically mentioned the positive impact of activities like planting, crafting lavender bags, and mud painting. The social interaction was also appreciated. Many learners expressed a desire for more sessions and longer durations. Specific comments highlighted the programme&#8217;s ability to take their minds off worries, the fun of the activities, the enjoyment of being with friends outside of lessons, and the usefulness of the calming strategies. One learner who spent a lot of time indoors described the sessions as an &#8220;escape&#8221; and expressed concern about their conclusion. Another learner experiencing sadness reported feeling &#8220;much better&#8221; during the sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"335\" height=\"447\" data-id=\"1755\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1755\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-9.png 335w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-9-225x300.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"454\" height=\"605\" data-id=\"1740\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-5.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1740\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-5.png 454w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-5-225x300.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"308\" height=\"412\" data-id=\"1750\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1750\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-7.png 308w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-7-224x300.png 224w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 308px) 100vw, 308px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"316\" height=\"421\" data-id=\"1751\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1751\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-8.png 316w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-8-225x300.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 316px) 100vw, 316px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1288\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-11-14-48-39-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1288\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-11-14-48-39-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-11-14-48-39-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-11-14-48-39-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-11-14-48-39-1.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1290\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-15-3-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1290\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-15-3-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-15-3-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-15-3-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-15-3.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1289\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-14-5-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1289\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-14-5-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-14-5-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-14-5-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/PHOTO-2024-11-05-12-33-14-5.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1287\" src=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5930-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1287\" srcset=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5930-768x1024.jpeg 768w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5930-225x300.jpeg 225w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5930-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5930.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25 (1).\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-84a586a4-7ec0-45cd-800c-9f5012295941\" href=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25-1.pdf\">Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25 (1)<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-84a586a4-7ec0-45cd-800c-9f5012295941\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><object data=\"https:\/\/happyconfidentkids.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\"><\/object><a href=\"https:\/\/happyconfidentkids.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25.pdf\">Keeping in Touch \u2013 2024_10_25<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/happyconfidentkids.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Keeping-in-Touch-2024_10_25.pdf\">Download<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lovely to be featured in the latest news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The five-week &#8220;In the Wild&#8221; programme with the entire Year 7, was a resounding success in supporting their transition to secondary school, fostering a connection with nature, and introducing valuable wellbeing tools. The programme demonstrably reduced initial anxieties towards nature, cultivated comfort and respect for the natural environment, enhanced focus and presence through storytelling, positively impacted teacher wellbeing, fostered community building and rapport, encouraged play and creativity, addressed a lack of basic nature knowledge, and facilitated the mastery of mindful breathing for self-regulation. Furthermore, the sessions proved to be a valuable tool for the early identification and referral of learners requiring additional support, leading to timely interventions and positive outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learner feedback overwhelmingly highlighted the enjoyment of activities, the positive impact of being outdoors, the valued escape from the classroom, and the calming effects of the natural environment. Teachers consistently praised the opportunity to be in nature and observed positive changes in learner mood and behaviour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Its been a privilege to work with the Year 7 Students at West Coventry Academy running our five week In the Wild programme, getting to know the learners and educators, showing them loads of tools to help them access calm, confidence and learn to be in the present moment. We started our \u201cIn the Wild&#8221; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1760,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,10],"tags":[75,56,57,77,23],"class_list":["post-1173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-wild","category-school-workshop","tag-coach-laura","tag-coventry","tag-innovate-uk","tag-miranda","tag-west-coventry-academy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1173"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2487,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1173\/revisions\/2487"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1173"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1173"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/139.59.113.186\/happyconfidentkids-wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1173"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}