“The evidence is very clear that learning outside the classroom has a very positive impact on children’s lives and engages them with learning; it helps schools deliver their curriculum even more effectively; and it contributes to teacher and pupil wellbeing. All things that are critical at the moment.”  Dr Anne Hunt, Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.

Outside learning is an essential part of educating sustainably. Sustainability is most often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It has three main pillars: economic, environmental, and social, (or people, planet and profits).

By making sustainability central to our school ethos, children are provided with genuine opportunities to connect with nature. To actively engage in decision-making about and taking action on real issues affecting their world, our planet, such as climate change and loss of biodiversity.  To demonstrate that it is possible for our school grounds (and local green spaces) to be used daily to enhance teaching and learning right across the curriculum and to deliver a wide range of associated benefits, including non-cognitive impacts on learning outcomes such as social and emotional skills, behaviour, confidence, self-esteem and their engagement with learning. Growing resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

Benefits:

• Improved mental health and wellbeing
• Engagement in learning, academic achievement and inspiring creativity
• Improvement in behaviour and attendance rates 
• Improvement in physical ability (motor skills) and health awareness
• Fostering pride, belonging and involvement in the community.