Outdoor Learning
at
Edinbarnet Primary
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Play (2013) stated that:
“The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves.” - Roald Dahl
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Play (2013) stated that:
At Edinbarnet Primary we are developing our curriculum to involve opportunities for children to regularly access the outdoors to enhance their learning.
Children need real and relevant experiences that encourage them to take risks, challenge themselves and develop resilience.
This is all done through simply learning outdoors.
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Play (2013) stated that:
At Edinbarnet Primary, we want children to develop a lifelong love of the outdoors. Therefore, from primary one to primary seven a growing part of our curriculum is centred around outdoor learning.
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Play (2013) stated that:
We are continuously working to become secure in our approach to deliver outdoor learning. Some of the initiatives we have lead include;
In our school staff have developed a working timetable that allocates each class specific time in our main outdoor learning space. Which is equipped with literacy and numeracy sheds as well as den building equipment and natural materials.
What does outdoor learning look like at Edinbarnet Primary?
In addition, we are lucky enough to have a large playground and forest school area behind our school grounds. These can be used at any time by any class and are regularly occupied during lesson times to;
What does outdoor learning look like at Edinbarnet Primary?
Learning in the outdoors should not be an example of taking the teacher role outside, it should allow for critical thinking, exploration and communication between children. Therefore, when enhancing learning, teachers may take a concept already taught in the classroom and provide experiences for children to explore this concept through accessing the outdoor environment.
Enhance Learning.
At Edinbarnet we are secure in delivering a play based approach to learning. Outdoor learning offers high quality play experiences for young children as it is rich in potential for supplying context and materials for imaginative play of all types. Additionally, we provide construction play where children have access to natural materials to build and create, making links to prior learning.
Delivering a Play Based Approach.
At Edinbarnet we have a curriculum map which highlights our main themes running through our curriculum. Our senior children are involved in leading their own personal projects, some of which lend themselves to outdoor learning. By allowing children to take control of their own learning and apply their research knowledge, children have learned to use outdoor experiences to aid their understanding of the world we live in.
Leading Personal Projects.
Learning in the outdoors is also vital for our children and young people who require additional support. Our specialist nurture groups utilise our outdoor space by taking children outdoors to work cooperatively to complete a task in small groups. Enabling them to build on communication skills, team working ability, problem solving and negotiation strategies. All of which are vital skills children will need as they grow up.
How does outdoor learning support Additional Support Needs at Edinbarnet Primary?
Learning in the outdoors allows our children to develop and apply the following skills:
Learning in the outdoors allows our children to develop and apply the following skills:
Learning in the outdoors allows our children to develop and apply the following skills:
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Play (2013) stated that:
What can parents do to support outdoor learning?
Further Reading
Learning Through Landscapes
My World Outdoors
Education Scotland Outdoor Learning Document
CFE Through Outdoor Learning