TWO of Burton Albion’s first team players were on hand to visit a local primary as part of the Forest Schools project.
Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater and young defender Jayden Cotterill visited Edgehill Primary School in Stapenhill, as part of the Forest Schools Christmas-themed woodland project.
Forest Schools provides opportunities for children to learn outdoors. The projects focus on the development of children's social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development and it also encourages responsibility, independence and team work.
Forest Schools is a project that aims to encourage and inspire children through positive, hands-on learning experiences, exciting games and activities that make learning memorable and fun.
Children visit the woodland and work outside on a regular basis where the outdoor environment allows them to develop without restraint, offering time to explore their thoughts and feelings and to interact with their peers.
During the visit, Bywater and Cotterill got the chance to engage with children and listen to their stories on what they had been up to during the Christmas-themed week.
Paul Furniss, Primary Schools Manager, said: “It was a fantastic appearance! Stephen and Jayden didn’t need to be asked twice to get involved with the youngsters and they seemed to really enjoy the activities that they got up to. It’s not every day that you get to see Championship footballers running around in a woodland area, helping youngsters to build the likes of Santa’s Grotto and other Christmas-themed activities.”