Taking teaching outdoors

Information about the school

Situated in the heart of the village of Three Crosses at the gateway to the Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Crwys is a traditional Victorian, village school.  While there is no green space at the school, it is fortunate to have two woodland areas nearby.

Context and background to the effective or innovative practice

It is well documented that healthier, happier children do better in school.  The outdoor environment encourages skills such as problem-solving and negotiating risk, which are important for child development.  Other skills that are developed include; pupils’ interpersonal and social skills, their knowledge of healthy schools, sustainability and awareness of the environment.  It also stimulates their minds and creates a focus or stimuli for classwork, as well as developing the key skills.  All very relevant as a new curriculum is built for Wales.

Description of nature of strategy or activity

All pupils at Crwys spend a minimum of half a day in nearby woodland enjoying the great outdoors every week throughout the year.  Initially, practice and experiences were limited.  However, relevant continued professional development has resulted in increasing teacher confidence.  Consequently, more varied pedagogy and practice have evolved and, by now, the whole of the curriculum has been adapted to be taught outdoors.  Carefully chosen themes ensure that coverage is broad, balanced, varied and appropriate.

What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?

Analysis of both pupil and parent questionnaires shows that the increased focus on outdoor learning has had a very positive impact on pupil wellbeing and their enjoyment of school, as well as their attitudes to learning.  The school approached the HAPPEN Network based in Swansea University, who carried out a qualitative study on the impact of the school’s increased focus on outdoor learning on pupils and staff.  Their findings found that the approach is having a positive impact on staff wellbeing.  Importantly, teachers spoke of increased job satisfaction, and they felt it was “just what I came into teaching for”.  The study;  https://t.co/h7czGtRjkV has received global recognition, from North America and Canada, to New South Wales in Australia.  In addition, the school’s high academic standards have been sustained and improved.  Whole school attendance has risen to almost 97%.

How have you shared your good practice?

At the request of the local authority’s Director of Education, the school has shared its good practice with all Swansea schools and have created a Professional Learning Community called Swansea Outdoor Schools, which is made up of a number of advisors and strategic partners.  The group now works with a large number of schools across the authority in an advisory/support capacity.  More recently, Crwys has developed international links through Erasmus+ funding.  The project, called ‘Happy Pupils Make Happy Learners’, brings together schools from Wales, Ireland, Italy, Finland and Sweden in order to gain new insights into teaching and learning methods, sharing good practice along the way.