Sunnylands Primary School, Carrickfergus
NIFSA qualified Forest School status
For more information about NIFSA visit – Forest Schools in Northern Ireland (forestschoolsni.com)
Date achieved: 2021
Accreditation
An Annual Accreditation scheme to encourage organisations to continue with their Forest School programme.
Elder Award – at least one qualified NIFSA Forest School Leader Level 3 and each one undertaking six Forest School sessions a year
Birch Award – at least two qualified NIFSA Forest School Leaders Level 3 and each one undertaking twelve Forest School sessions a year
Oak Award – at least one NIFSA Forest School Manager Level 4 and two NIFSA Forest School Leaders Level 3, all undertaking at least 12 Forest School sessions a year. Organisation is actively involved in NIFSA Nature Ranger Clubs and NIFSA Forest School Family.
Date achieved – 2021
Date achieved – 2022
Date achieved – 2023
NIFSA Forest School Family
A NIFSA programme developed to encourage families to spend quality time outdoors. Free for everybody.
For more information about NIFSA Forest School Family visit – Families • Forest Schools in Northern Ireland (forestschoolsni.com)
Active since 2023. Holds a monthly Forest School Family event to award certificates to families.
NIFSA Nature Ranger Clubs
For more information about NIFSA Nature Ranger Clubs visit – Nature Rangers • Forest Schools in Northern Ireland (forestschoolsni.com)
A NIFSA programme working in partnership with schools. NIFSA supports schools to run their own Forest School after-school club. NIFSA provide all the training, resources and on-going support and in return a percentage of each booking goes to supporting the work of NIFSA.
Active since 2024.
Forest School Activity
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Forest School Forest School activities undertaken weekly for every class for at least one hour.
Forest School Staff
Laura McConkey – NIFSA Forest School Manager Level 4 and NIFSA Forest School Leader Level 3
Cheryl Morrison – NIFSA Forest School Leader Level 3
Forest School Site
School Grounds
Sunnylands Primary School is situated in the Sunnylands Estate area of Carrickfergus. It benefits a range of outdoor spaces, including a Foundation Stage Garden, Key Stage 1/2 outdoor area, 2 playgrounds, a tarmac football pitch, a grass football pitch, an outdoor classroom and trim trail. These is also an area of wasteland currently being developed into an allotment area.
The Foundation Stage Garden is split into learning zones, and features a number of mature trees and a willow dome. The Key Stage 1/2 outdoor area also features a number of mature trees, as well as recently planted bushes and shrubs.
Shaftesbury Park – Sunnylands Primary School also visit the local Council Park
Located in the heart of Carrickfergus and surrounded by the history of the walled town and nearby Carrickfergus Castle, Shaftesbury Park sits under the cover of mature trees, surrounded by hawthorn hedgerows and recently planted saplings.
The park offers a number of quiet grassy areas under the canopy of trees. Its paths provide good connections to the surrounding area, including Marine Gardens, Mill Ponds, Marine Highways and the town centre.
For further information please contact: Laura McConkey – lmcconkey327@c2kni.net