Local parents have set up a petition to try and prevent the loss of the The Lodge at the top of Streatham Common for use by community groups, including the Forest School, which runs each Monday to help children to experience and nurture the natural environment.
The Forest School group has been running at the Lodge every Monday since April 2013. Children play outdoors in all weathers in a safe environment. They have craft and cooking activities, play in the wooded area at the top of the common, help with conservation work and pursue other outdoor activities under the supervision of the parents.
Parent Alison Whetnall explains: "Until recently the group has run with the full support of Crown Lane Primary School and Children’s Centre, who lease the building from Lambeth Council.
"There has recently been a change of headteacher at Crown Lane Primary School, and understandably the school's agendas are changing. Unfortunately this has lead to other members of staff leaving the school, one of whom is the facilitator for our Monday group on a voluntary basis.
"The situation now is that, after three and a half years of successful community partnership, our self funded group is being denied access to The Lodge. The school management has declined to communicate with our group directly and has offered no explanation for their decision.
"We find it incredible that our group’s longstanding access to this community space has been revoked without consultation, warning or explanation.
"All of this has happened very quickly, and this Monday, 28th November, was possibly the final time our group will be able to meet at The Lodge."
Facebook group in support of the Streatham Common Forest School:
The Location of the Lodge:
No comments:
Post a Comment