Outdoor Learning
At Boroughbirdge Primary school and Nursery we have a wonderful area of forest land to provide our children with rich outdoor learning experiences.
Intent
Our intent for outdoor learning in the forest is to provide children with meaningful, hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, creativity and a deep connection with the natural world. We aim to support holistic development — physical, emotional, social and cognitive — while enriching the curriculum beyond the classroom.
- We believe that providing children with outdoor learning time in the forest this..
- Encourages exploration and curiosity
- Empowers children in the natural environment
- Promotes wellbeing, mindfulness and positive mental health
- Encourages spatial awareness and motor development
- Offers the chance to take learning out of the classroom and into the great outdoors
- Introduces a whole new dimension to teaching and learning, with new experiences for both the children and teachers
- Provide real-life contexts for curriculum learning (science, geography, literacy, maths and DT)
- Encourage teamwork, communication and problem-solving
- Foster environmental awareness, stewardship and respect for nature
Outdoor learning is inclusive and child-centred, allowing all pupils — including those who thrive outside traditional classroom settings to succeed.
Implementation
Outdoor learning is now becoming embedded as a regular, progressive part of the curriculum across year groups.
Key features include:
- Regular outdoor learning sessions in the forest with our EYFS children visiting weekly and all other year groups visiting regularly for at least one half term per year
- Explicit links to curriculum objectives (e.g. habitats, seasonal change, animals including humans, statistics, building structures, map skills)
- Structured opportunities for safe risk-taking (tool use, den building, fire safety where appropriate) through planned sessions in the school day and during events such as the year 5 sleepover
- Use of reflection (discussion, floor books, photos) to capture learning
- Strong focus on routines, safety, clothing and behaviour expectations outdoors
- Provision is adaptive to meet SEND needs, support regulation and enable experiential learning for all pupils.
Impact
Over time we are able to provide our children with an enriched curriculum by using our forest area for a range of outdoor learning opportunities. This contributes to them becoming motivated, capable learners who value nature, and understand their role in caring for the world.
Our children demonstrate:
- Increased confidence, independence and resilience
- Improved wellbeing, engagement and readiness to learn
- Stronger communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills
- Greater curiosity and sustained concentration
- Improved physical development and risk awareness
- Deeper understanding of environmental concepts and sustainability