Mondays:
- Tree Tots
Tuesdays:
- Tree Tots
- Pine Class
- Maple Class
Wednesdays:
- Acorns Class
Thursdays:
- Willow Class
- Hazel Class
- Elder Class
- Oak Class
Fridays:
- Tree Tots
Outdoor Learning sessions are led by Mr Jonathan Ball, an experienced class teacher, forest school leader and ex-outdoor pursuits instructor. He is supported by the class’s teaching assistants. The sessions take place at our purpose-built Outdoor Learning hub, in our garden, in our woodland area and on our field.
Activities are child-led, child-centred and age-appropriate. They may include gardening, fire lighting, campfire cooking, mud play, Forest School activities, tool work, shelter building, obstacle courses, slack-line walking, plant or creature identification, kite flying, games – and anything else that we or the children think of!
We try to invite parents to come and join in with their children’s activities at least once a year for each class.
The sessions focus on our school’s values of responsibility, respect and aspiration but also encourages curiosity and resilience.
We link activities explicitly to these behaviours and have lots of discussions about what behaviours we have shown to achieve what we have and which we could use to do even better next time. We focus on teamwork and communication too as these are important skills especially when working on big projects outside.
We also do lots of science outdoors just through the type of activities we planned. We make sure that the children see the science that happens naturally through Outdoor Learning and make links to the class-based science that they do in their topics.
Outdoor Learning Curriculum Map
Outdoor Learning Kit
The sessions take place all year, whatever the weather. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!
Outdoor learning kit should be in school each week for the sessions. Children who don’t have the appropriate kit have a restricted choice of activities, especially when the weather is cold, wet or muddy. They may also get school uniform and shoes damaged, wet or muddy.
For children to get the most from their sessions, they should have:
- A set of old clothes (including a jumper and/or a warm coat) that can get dirty and muddy.
- A waterproof coat and trousers to go over these for when it is very wet.
- Wellies or waterproof walking boots.
- NO OLD TRAINERS AS THESE ARE NOT WATERPROOF.
See the pictures below for examples of good and bad kit.
If you have any questions or would like to see our facilities, please get in touch with Mr Ball through the school office.
