Torrential rain and 40 mph winds at certain times this week led to some classic Forest School improvisation. For Years 5 and 6, November gales and outdoor art on canvas don't mix, so a couple of sessions were forced into shelter-building mode for sheer survival.

But Reception had a calmer, sunnier afternoon on Friday to think about what makes a good shelter, for us and for animals.

Whether working individually or in a small group, we saw lots of resilience and heaps of imagination. Once walls and roofs are in place (usually, but not always), then attention can be given to slides and swings for our furry friends. Climbing frames for a monkey, the occasional swimming pool for a hedgehog.

At the end of each session, we reflected on the shelters we enjoy each day: a warm school to return to, a home with central heating. After a week like this one, I'm glad to head indoors for a while.