PUPILS from St Maddern's School are braving the winter cold to spend one day a week learning in an outdoor classroom.

Guided by the Green Learning Forest School, the youngsters are becoming at home in the outdoors, developing practical skills through hands-on experience.

Along with lots of play-time, the children have learned about boiling water using a storm kettle and how to make useful items from basic tools.

At the start of each session everyone helps to build a shelter and then collects firewood.

Once a safe area is marked out, a fire is lit and a plan for the day discussed about how to make the most of their time in Tanglewood.

Teacher James Sturges said: "The idea is to give them a better experience of the outside world and to teach them skills like how to build a fire and how to be safe in the woods. We want them to know to respect and deal with nature.

"They love it there and work better as a team for being in Tanglewood.

"We have some children who won't work with each other at school, but that changes once they get to the woods."

The scheme is funded by a Cornwall Council Play Pathfinder grant for play activities and play skills.