Outdoor Learning at Belmont
Intent:
Our intent is that when children participate in learning activities outside the classroom, they will develop a lifelong love of the outdoors alongside a lifelong love of learning. The engagement in outdoor learning activities will improve progress and support their mental, spiritual and physical well-being.
Learning Outside the Classroom encompasses all learning that does not take place in the classroom:
- Trips and visits, both local and further afield and including residentials
- Playtimes and PE
- Learning about the outside world whilst immersed in it
- Other curriculum learning activities that are carried out outside
Children are learning all the time, wherever they happen to be and learning outside should be a key element of their experience.
Opportunities for Learning Outside the Classroom are an integral part of our planning for each of the termly topics in all year groups. They are closely linked to the thematic curriculum and classroom activities. We aim that these experiences are accessible to all children, regardless of any extra needs they may have. Learning Outside the Classroom activities are recorded in long, medium and short-term planning and evidenced in children’s work, where possible.
Implementation:
We provide a nurturing space, based on the Forest School Approach, that supports our children’s wellbeing by providing and implementing positive outdoor, child-led experiences in a natural setting. We follow the requirement for learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curriculum. We use Outdoor Learning Made Easy to ensure that all areas of the curriculum are planned for to ensure there is a broad, balanced and progressive learning environment and curriculum.
Our curriculum is also designed to recognise children’s prior learning and their experiences at home, in order to provide first-hand learning experiences, whilst allowing the children to build resilience, ambition and integrity.
Impact:
The impact of these helps foster traits such as resilience, confidence and independence and develop motivation, co-operation, decision-making and social skills whilst supporting learning, consolidating and deepening knowledge and ensuring children meet their next steps.
Children therefore learn new skills, as well as acquire new knowledge and demonstrate understanding through the different areas of the curriculum.
The impact of our curriculum will also be measured by how effectively it helps all our pupils, including those with SEND and vulnerable pupils, develop into well-rounded individuals who embody our values and carry with them the knowledge, skills and attitudes which will make them lifelong learners and valuable future citizens.