Outdoor Learning
Outdoor Learning at Milton Park Primary School
Our aim is that all children will have opportunities to experience life and lessons beyond the classroom walls as a regular part of growing and learning. We would like them to participate in a range of progressive and creative learning through the provision of regular, frequent, enjoyable and challenging opportunities outdoors. Our vision is that over time outdoor learning will become embedded in the curriculum, offering many opportunities for learners to deepen and contextualise their understanding within curriculum areas, and for linking learning across the curriculum in different contexts and at all levels.
How we incorporate outdoor learning into lessons
We find opportunities to take learning into the outside space within the school grounds and make links to outdoor learning across all subjects, such as:
Science – plants, animals, weather biomes
PSHE – links to emotional well being
Geography – land usage, beach visits, river visits, exploring local area
History – could be mock archaeological digs, change of land use over time and reasons for it. Changes in the local area as an example.
Learning in the outdoors can make significant contributions to literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing. In literacy there are opportunities to use different texts: the spoken word, charts, maps, timetables and instructions. In numeracy there are opportunities to measure angles, calculate bearings and work out journey times. In PSHE and PE there are opportunities to become physically active in alternative ways and to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health.
What will you see in a lesson?
Outdoor learning can take on many forms, it could be as simple as taking a lesson that would normally be taught inside, out into the garden or playground space. Ultimately you should see children exploring, taking risks, problem solving, collaborating and asking questions independently. They should also be dressed appropriately for whichever subject area they are engaged in or season!
What does learning look like outdoors?
Learning outdoors looks vastly different depending on the subject being taught and location of the learning. Reading lessons could be conducted in the garden sitting on the tree stumps. Maths lessons could be on the playground using chalks or counting leaves. The opportunities are endless. Children learning outdoors will likely be more engaged, curious, keen to ask questions and collaborate with others to solve problems.