Why facilitate outdoor learning?

• To give a real world context for learning

Learning in a real context can turn the abstract into the concrete.It inspires curiosity and investigation, which inspire enquiring minds and enables them to achieve.

• Outdoor learning compliments indoor learning

The outdoor environment stimulates creativity and enables learning to happen. Hands on – Minds on!

• It supports emotional and physical wellbeing

Fresh air and open space obviously promote physical development but also the effect of fresh air on our minds is amazing

• Encourages positive self esteem

Children feel fee to be themselves outside the constraints of the classroom. Sometimes we can concentrate better outside, with a hands-on approach

• It increases knowledge and care for the natural environment

Connection with the natural world builds a deeper connection that lasts a lifetime. How can we care about something we do not know about?

• It provides an extensive use of space

Children need space to be physically active and to move freely without constraints. They can work on a larger scale, either alone or  collaboratively

• It enables children to risk take

Digby Jones (former Chairperson of the CBI) asks, ‘ How will children learn to run a small business in the future if they have never learnt to climb a tree?’

When do we facilitate outdoor learning?

We provide regular, frequent, enjoyable and challenging opportunities for all children to learn outdoors throughout their time at school.

This is done whenever learning would be enhanced or complimented by going outdoors.

The use of outdoor learning throughout the curriculum

English 

• Using buildings and equipment to launch and explore different genres i.e. a ‘mystery’ house, a pirate ship adventure, science fiction in the Space Zone, historical fiction in World War 2 area and fantasy around the Fairy Tale Castle
• Reflecting and writing poetry
• Reading in the Gingerbread House and the Rendezvous area

Mathematics

• Measuring the football pitch
• Exploring shape and pattern in the environment

Science

• Investigating shadows at different times of the day
• Exploring the enormity of the solar system
• Bug hunting
• Exploring habitats i.e. the bird hide

History

• World War 2 zone: the realism of the blitz and the use of Anderson shelters

PE

• orienteering, balancing, tagging and team games

Examples of our area and resources

Reading Rendezvous

• Emerald City (a transformed caravan), where our Reading Ambassador promotes and teaches reading
• Outdoor storyteller’s chair , with a simile circle to promote reading and discuss imagery

Fairytale Castle

• A life- size stimulus to introduce the genre of fantasy

Skipping Zone

• To promote healthy exercise and the use of rhymes

Theatre of Stars 

• A stage, for acting, assemblies, musical performances and dancing

Music Area

• For composition and singing

Maths Area

• To learn and practise times tables and number bonds

Obstacle Course

• For balancing, strength and physical agility

Secret Garden

• For planting and enjoying wild flowers
• A bird hide to encourage children’s knowledge of different species

Reflective Garden 

• Using different senses to feel close to nature

Mermaid Lagoon

• An under the sea area including pirate ship, to introduce the genre of adventure

Space Zone

• A space ship to introduce the genre of science fiction and facts about Earth and space

Tepee and Fort

• For role play and learning about other cultures