Outdoor Learning
“Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places.” John Holt
Subject lead- Mrs. R Hairsine
At St Joseph’s we believe that it is important for all children to have access to the outdoors as part of their school experience. It has been shown that access to the outdoors supports children develop a healthy and active lifestyle. Outdoor learning is unique as it provides a wide range of resources and spaces that are hard to copy in an indoor environment. This can happen anywhere – from the school grounds to the greenspace around us, from the city centre to national parks, from outside your front door to the rest of the world.
By taking our learning outdoors we recognise that children learn in different ways and give them the opportunity to develop their problem solving, patience, resilience, independence, and confidence in a variety of different environments. This promotes them being more physically active, gives them more freedom and movement, and promotes a sense of well-being.
How we do outdoor learning.
Here at St Joseph's we complete our outdoor learning using the space we have around us but also by taking our children to experience places such as Buckden and Malham cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Whitby, Nell Bank in Ilkley and trips to city park.
EYFS- In early years the children have access to outdoors throughout the school day as this is seen as a natural extension of the classroom. The children will also be taken on local trips to city park and the big red bridge as well as a trip at the end of the year to the farm.
KS1- As with early years key stage one have access to outdoors areas as an extension of their classroom. The children will undertake a local walk as part of their geography as well as a trip to the seaside!
KS2- Within key stage 2 children have times planned to take their learning outdoors but they also have trips enabling them to experience the green spaces we are luckily to have outside of Bradford, as stated above- Malham Cove, Whitby and Nell bank.
What can families do to support their child in outdoor learning?
To support your child with their outdoor learning when in school by ensuring they have all the appropriate clothing for the weather- hats and gloves if cold, waterproof shoes if it looks like rain and sun hats for summer.
Children will receive a newsletter each half term and this will outline their learning for the term. You can talk to them about what outdoor learning will be happening.
Take your children outside when ever possible, as we said outdoor learning can take part anywhere that is outside! Keep an eye on Twitter and this web page for any activities that are coming up local to us.
