PART of a woodland area in Grays is to be developed as a forest school to be used by pupils from Treetops Learning Community, other local schools and visitor parties.

Land close to the two schools that make up the Treetops site, known as Torels Heath wood, has been ceded by Thurrock Council to the learning community which plans to expand its current forest school into a real wooded area.

A forest school is an area offering an approach to outdoor education that uses the natural environment as a classroom to foster holistic development in children and young people.

Currently Treetops operates a forest school on land within its curtilage, but it is open and limited.

The plan is to clear up and maintain a small, wooded area adjacent to the schools and create learning opportunities on it.

The area has been fenced off to ensure a safe environment for the children and to protect the facilities within.

Anthony Hattam is the head of Treetops Free School and said: "We've got a site in our existing grounds which is our forest school. It's run by Georgina Gale, who many people may know from Second Stanford Scouts.

"However, it's a bit of wasteland and we believe we can do so much more, so we engaged with Thurrock Council to see if they would loan or lease a bit of the nearby woodland to make a real forest school.

"They've given us a lease for a part of the land which is adjacent to our back field.

"It is a small area which does have one small trail running through it and has been used by local people, but in reality, it has not been well trodden.

Burnt out bikes are among things dumped in the wood.

"There are old burnt-out bikes and cans and rubbish. We're in the process of fencing it off to protect it and we've got arborists coming in to look at the trees.

"It's an area we want to clean up and make it wildlife friendly.

"Going forwards, once we 've got it established, we will look at how we can liaise with the local community.

"As well as our students we want to offer the facility to other schools and, during the summer when the school is not open we will look at opening it up to other groups - or possibly even as a venue for birthday parties.

"We know children love to experience wildlife and nature. The possibilities are endless.

"Currently, due to the time of year the area looks a bit stark and the fence imposing but this will change as we move into the spring.

"We also want to get the fences completed so we have security, unfortunately we have already had some fencing posts stolen off site.

"We are really pleased to have got the support of Thurrock Council for this; we believe this development will be a valuable addition to our area and as well as the bonus for children for wildlife - because it is protected and safe and maintained with their needs in mind - it is a really positive thing."