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Outdoor Learning
Vision:
To inspire every child to become a curious, resilient, and confident learner through meaningful, hands-on experiences in the natural environment, fostering a lifelong appreciation for nature, self-discovery, and wellbeing.
Curriculum Drivers:
Through our Outdoor Learning and Forest School provision, pupils explore possibilities by investigating the natural world, engaging in risk/benefit decision making, and adapting to changing environments. They create possibilities by using natural materials, problem solving collaboratively, and applying creative thinking to real world outdoor challenges. They build independence and resilience by leading their own discovery, learning from trial and error, and developing practical life skills in all weather conditions.
Intent:
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Connection with Nature: Develop a deep understanding, appreciation, and care for the natural environment and local ecosystems.
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Holistic Development: Support social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth through child led play, practical skill building, and exploration.
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Risk Management & Resilience: Learn to identify, assess, and manage risk safely, building confidence, self-regulation, and perseverance.
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Collaboration & Communication: Encourage teamwork, problem solving, and spoken language skills through shared tasks and outdoor experiences.
Implementation:
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Regular & Sustained Provision: Provide frequent, structured outdoor sessions across key stages to allow deep engagement with the outdoor environment across different seasons.
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Practical & Experiential Learning: Deliver hands-on activities such as shelter building, tool use, fire safety, and environmental art tailored to age and stage progression.
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Cross-Curricular Connections: Embed links to Science, Geography, Art, and Wellbeing, using nature as a context for broad learning and enquiry.
Intended Impact:
By the time children leave primary school, they see themselves as capable, resourceful, and environmentally conscious individuals with the resilience to tackle new challenges, a strong sense of well-being, and a lifelong respect for the natural world.
“There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing".
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“The best classroom and the richest cupboard are roofed only by the sky”.
Margaret McMillian
Forest School
Each session will incorporate most, if not all, seven areas of the EYFS framework. As well as the obvious health benefits, both mental and physical, knowledge is gained about nature, animals, insects and the seasons. The other benefits of Forest School are endless because nature offers a rich variety of freedom, risk and play opportunities. 'Risky play' builds confidence, independence, enhances decision making skills and provides real-world experience, in turn providing opportunities for self-discovery; imagination, creativity, mastery, co-ordination and fine/ gross motor skills.
Language and Communication is developed through teamwork in Forest School.
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At the end of each session the children have reflection time over a well-deserved cup of hot chocolate to talk about what they have enjoyed doing and key learning points.
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When your child takes part in Forest School we provide them with all-weather coats and trousers. We ask that parents provide clearly labelled:
• sturdy boots or wellies
• gloves
• scarf
• hat
• spare socks
