Outdoor Learning

Intent

It is our aim at Valley View that outdoor learning will continue the high standards and expectations that our school sets for its pupils and enhance and foster their life skills and experiences. Our outdoor sessions are a fun, creative, adventurous and powerful way of accessing the full breadth of our curriculum. Outdoor learning nurtures children’s resilience and self-worth alongside fostering a respect for the outdoor environment and instils a passion for life-long learning.

Through outdoor activities, children develop independence as well as learning to collaborate. We want children to become respectful members of their community. Working and problem solving in different groups, allows children to build their resilience and to be caring towards each other. Diverse ideas and opinions are valued. Learning outdoors gives pupils the experience and appreciation of other’s thoughts, opinions and skills. We provide opportunities for children to find their voice and their strengths along with their empathy in order to become democratic and socially confident.

Opportunities involving risk and self-reflection are planned so that children learn to regulate their social, mental, emotional and spiritual health, giving them the important skills needed to improve themselves personally. Children’s wellbeing is very much at the core of our school’s ethos. Taking learning outside teaches the value of nature and gives them the chance to see their role and their importance in the world they live in. Being in nature, learning together and looking after the natural world gives them the skills to support their own well-being and allows them to make responsible choices, leading to a sustainable and fulfilling life. Visiting the woods, our wildlife garden and our local area is a special experience to be appreciated.

Implementation

We aim to create memorable moments, taking all curriculum topics and objectives outside from maths to art, Early Years to Year 6. These are planned to enhance and contextualise learning. Children learn to develop their curiosity, creativity and ambition alongside collaboration and problem solving. Each outdoor unit builds on National Curriculum objectives from previous learning progressing children’s knowledge and skills as well as our school’s core values. Planning has a flexible approach, aiming to incorporate changes such as the weather, seasons and the children’s needs and interests.