Lingotots in Hove launches summer forest school programme

Harriet Blain has been running French and Spanish classes at Lingotots West Hove since January, with sessions for children up to the age of five at venues in Hove and Shoreham and after school clubs for children up to the age of 12.

The 35-year-old from Southwick has been teaching interactive online classes throughout the lockdown but now the language school is expanding to become Lingotots Forest School.

Harriet said: “Obviously the nature of my classes has changed over the past few months, but the online classes have been going really well.

“Some of my students are very young and parents were worried they wouldn’t be engaged by classes on screen, but they really have.

Harriet taking a Lingotots class in Hove before lockdown

“I will definitely consider keeping the online classes going too, but I’m really excited to be launching a Lingotot Forest School programme so I can deliver classes outdoors, socially distanced, with a wonderful focus on nature.”

Harriet is looking at potential spaces in Brighton and Hove but said safety is her main concern.

She said: “I’m a really outdoorsy person so this suits me down to the ground, but we’re going to be very careful. I want to make sure it’s safe and parents are comfortable.

“We will start off with small groups and will establish routines about sitting on the spot and keeping our distance.

“But I think taking the classes outside will help the children to learn through play, which is what Lingotots is all about.”

Harriet is hoping to introduce more environmental themes into her classes, including why it is important not to litter.

Harriet with her daughter Zoe

She said: “There’s a lot I think I could do with it. During this period I think the lockdown has sort of made people rediscover the outdoors a bit.

“It’s been really interesting teaching online but I do really miss seeing the children. They’re all in different homes but they come together to do activities, like jumping out at me at the end of the class.

“I can’t wait to get out into the community again.”

For more information, visit the Lingotot West Hove Facebook page.