Outdoor Learning

 “Not all classrooms have four walls.” - Margaret McMillian.

Purpose of study

At our school, we promote the love and enrichment of learning outside the classroom. Outdoor Learning will deepen children’s understanding of other areas within the National Curriculum to enable passionate and creative learning experiences all year round. It will inspire children’s sense of belonging, pride of their surroundings and a love of exploring. Pupils will develop approaches to problem-solving, develop communication skills, whilst also ensuring children can identify and manage risks in the real world. Our curriculum will develop children as responsible citizens who contribute to the wider community.

Aims

Our school curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• To enable children to take ownership of their learning, by raising the profile and the importance of Outdoor Learning.
• To provide a challenging, safe and secure environment within which children can take and manage risks.
• To encourage children to acquire skills for problem solving, whilst also developing resilient and reflective learners.
• To promote close links with parents and our school in celebrating the outdoor space and the rich learning that can take place within it.
• To empower children to care for their community environment.

Organisation

• Outdoor Learning will be taught outside, embracing the environments we have around us. Teachers have the freedom to choose which outdoor space to use as a classroom.
• Outdoor Learning units have been chosen to offer a wide range of balanced cross-curricular concepts, whilst also enabling children to become resilient learners.
• Outdoor Learning units are matched to the growing understanding of the children at our school. In each year group, they continue to develop skills that establish respect and knowledge of the outdoor environment.