Outdoor Learning
Intent
At Parkhill Junior School, we believe every child has the right to relax, play and experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning. (Article 31 Unicef Convention of the Child) We believe that outdoor learning can be used in many cross curricular areas to strengthen and deepen pupils understanding and knowledge and create real life experiences for pupils. We want to create memorable outdoor experiences which will inspire children to ask and answer questions of both the build and natural world. Through outdoor learning, pupils will become confident, resilient and determined learners. In this vastly changing world, we want our students to have a deep care and respect for our world and the things in it.
Implementation
At Parkhill Junior School, we are very committed to outdoor learning. Outdoor learning is planned to enrich and enhance the children’s in-school learning experiences. This gives every pupil in the school the opportunity to enjoy and learn from our wonderful natural world on a regular basis. The school has a designated garden which enables children to grow and nurture a range of produce. This has enabled children to have first-hand experience, make links between healthy eating, sustainability and enjoy physical activities. In food technology the children have experiences of using their produce to make sandwiches, bread and dips. The school garden has also provided some of the produce to be cooked in the working kitchen and students saw the links and importance of being self-sufficient and having a healthy balanced diet. Enrichment opportunities such as planting trees and bulbs have enabled children to make connections with topical issues such as climate change.
Impact
By the end of KS2 all children will have enjoyed hands on experiences learning outdoors which will add to their understanding and learning of a wide variety of curriculum areas. They will have developed imagination and creativity through exploration of the outdoors and will have developed resilience through challenging activities and working in all weathers. They also will have developed co-operation skills through team work. Pupils will have a good understanding of nature, the world around us, growing plants and vegetables and will have contributed to the development of our school grounds and looking after the world around us.