“classrooms are a relatively recent innovation, we learn much more and always have done from the world around us and from each other than we necessarily do sitting indoors at desks”.
The natural world provides us with an abundance of resources and opportunities to learn through doing and enhancing and enriching the quality of the national curriculum. Our definition need not expel indoor spaces rather elevate our outdoor ones to their rightfully equal status. Our outdoor spaces be it a patch of unused tarmac within our school grounds or a local park or woodland can be used by a confident and creative teacher as a learning environment.
Natural Connections has published new evidence on the benefits of outdoor learning for pupils, teachers and schools. Working with 125 primary and secondary schools across the South West of England, Plymouth University along with Natural England have shown children are happier, healthier and more motivated to learn.
Benefits for pupils:
- 92% of schools said it improves pupils’ health and wellbeing and engages them with learning
- 85% saw a positive impact on their behaviour
- 92% of pupils involved in the project said they enjoyed their lessons more when outdoors
- 90% feeling happier and healthier as a result72 per cent of children said they got on better with others
Benefits for teachers:
- 90% of staff surveyed found outdoor learning to be useful for curriculum delivery
- 72% of schools reported it had a positive impact on teachers’ health and wellbeing
- 79% of teachers surveyed said it had a positive impact on their teaching practice
- 69% said it had a positive impact on their professional development
Off the back of these staggering findings it's now more important than ever as educationalists to "step outside" and discover how we can all benefit from teaching and learning outside. Starting this Autumn term SOuL will be running a series of regional open workshops for teachers from different schools to attend with the aim of building TEACHER CONFIDENCE in outdoor learning.
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOC)
Research tells us learning outside the classroom engages learners, improves behaviour and makes learning more enjoyable, FACT. Whatever your level of experience or skill you’ll enhance your CONFIDENCE and ensure every element of your teaching activity is on curriculum and meeting the above objectives.
- Discover the powerful benefits for you and your pupils from taking your learning outside
- Develop the confidence, skills and resources necessary to teach outside year round
- Master using the outdoors as a context for all subjects whilst linking it back to the curriculum
- Overcome the barriers and blocks, practicalities and limitations
- Learn to use your available outdoor spaces for learning at low cost
- Free bonuses* and much, much more...
North: Ashville College, Green Ln, Harrogate HG2 9JP
27 Sept 16
24 Nov 16
Midlands: Ratcliffe College, Fosse Way, Leicester LE7 4SG
14 Feb 17
South: Twyford School, Twyford Cres, London W3 9PP
29 Sept 16
17 Jan 17
16 Mar 17
Price £165 + VAT
Our regional open workshops are designed with Heads, Middle Management, HODs, Governors, Teachers, SMT, KS1/2 or 3 in mind.
Book your place online now as these workshops have limited spaces
The cost of the courses is £165 per delegate and £137.50 (a saving of 20%) for each additional delegate from your school. This cost is inclusive of all refreshments throughout the day including a buffet lunch. Workshops run from 9:30 - 16:00 including an hour for lunch.
* When you attend the workshop you will also receive these fantastic bonus resources:
1. SOuL Tips & Tools for Outdoor Learning Booklet
2. Our Learning Outside the Classroom (LOC) Handbook Lite providing a host of outdoor lesson plans covering all core subjects
