Developing an outdoor curriculum in preparation for Curriculum for Wales that develops pupils’ knowledge and skills as well as supporting their well-being
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Information about the school
Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni is a bilingual 11 to 18 comprehensive secondary school maintained by Ynys Môn local authority. The school is based in the town of Llangefni at the centre of Ynys Môn and is predominately a Welsh speaking area.
There are 719 pupils on roll, including 91 pupils in the Sixth Form. Around 78.5% speak Welsh at home. The percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals is approximately 18.9% on average. The senior leadership team consists of the headteacher, deputy headteacher, two permanent assistant headteachers and two acting assistant headteachers.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
As a pioneer school for Curriculum for Wales, the school has been involved in the preparations for delivering the new curriculum framework since the very beginning. The school has been designing, implementing, and refining its Year 7 curriculum model over an extended period to ensure that it meets the needs of pupils, addresses the framework requirements, and ensures the realisation of the four purposes.
A significant part of these preparations has been the development of the Year 7 outdoor curriculum. The school is fortunate to sit on around 20 acres of land, including a disused piece of land that was once a football field approximately one acre in size. Following periods of lockdown, as well as the roll out of Curriculum for Wales, leaders identified the need for pupils to be given the opportunity to follow a local curriculum where studying outdoors is an integral part of the provision for Year 7 pupils.
Under the health and well-being area of learning and experience, the school has created a curriculum model that includes lessons in physical education, outdoor education, health, well-being and gardening. It is these opportunities that have led to an increasingly wide range of curricular experiences which have broadened pupils’ horizons via a curriculum that places their needs at the centre of their learning.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
Working in partnership with North Wales Wildlife Trust and the warden of the Local Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the garden has developed to become an important resource for the school. The layout of the garden is based on a design by a group of Year 7 pupils from the previous academic year, who took part in a competition to create the community garden design. The winning design was then selected by the school’s head pupils and the garden is now taking shape around that design. The garden spans over an acre of land and is set out in specific zones: a growing zone, sensory garden zone, meadow zone, wildlife zone and micro forest where over 500 trees have been planted by the pupils. All work undertaken so far has been completed by the pupils themselves and it is fully accessible for all, including an area with raised beds that is wheelchair accessible.
The curriculum has been carefully mapped to ensure that pupils increase their knowledge and develop relevant skills whilst participating in their weekly gardening lesson. The lessons introduce pupils to gardening and allow an opportunity to develop practical skills. Pupils who already have some knowledge and experience of gardening from primary school or at home are given leading roles in the work to be completed. This has been particularly effective for those pupils who struggle in the classroom but are given the opportunity to shine in the outdoor lessons. The lessons begin with an introduction to the different tools used in gardening and basic techniques for planting and caring for plants. The students then move on to planting, tending to, and harvesting their own crops. They are encouraged to work together as a team and to share their knowledge and experiences.
The gardening lessons are a beneficial way for the pupils to learn about the basics of gardening and horticulture. Through hands-on activities and instruction, the pupils learn a variety of skills, from plant identification and care to soil testing and composting. In a typical gardening lesson, pupils start by learning about the different plants and their needs, such as sunlight and soil requirements. After learning about the basics, pupils then move on to more advanced topics, such as pruning, planting, and harvesting. In addition to learning the technical aspects of gardening, pupils also gain a better understanding of how plants interact with their environment. They learn how to identify beneficial insects, as well as how to deal with pests. Pupils also learn about the importance of water conservation and how to create sustainable gardens.
Part of the agreement with North Wales Wildlife Trust is that the garden aims to be carbon neutral which means the pupils have been learning about the impact of climate change and how to live sustainably and to ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ wherever possible. The wellington boots that the pupils wear during each lesson are ‘preloved’ and were donated by parents/guardians and people from the local community. In keeping with the carbon neutral aim, the garden path was created using gravel in place of tarmac and the soil removed has been reused for planting. Pupils have made planting beds out of tyres and there are homemade birdboxes and bird feeders around the garden that the pupils look after.
Gardening lessons happen rain or shine as there are learning plans in place for ‘wet weather’ days too. Pupils are given the opportunity to develop their cross-curricular skills during indoor lessons focusing on literacy, numeracy and digital competence where they complete a variety of activities including crop research, vocabulary development, financial literacy and indoor planting. Pupils have planted flowers to take home for their families and the school gifted a tree to each Year 7 family to plant in their own gardens, creating strong family links as the pupils are eager to share what they have been doing at school.
As the garden is an ever-evolving resource at the school, planning for the future includes integrating and embedding gardening further into the school curriculum. Leaders are keen for other year groups to have the opportunities that the Year 7 pupils have had. The sensory garden zone will support pupils’ well-being and mental health as well as offering bespoke curriculum opportunities for those pupils who would benefit enormously from time spent outside surrounded by nature. In order to facilitate this, the plans include creating more raised beds and a larger variety of plants and vegetables to grow, as well as introducing educational programmes such as crop rotation, polytunnel growing and composting. The garden will be a place for pupils to learn about plant growth and the importance of sustainable agriculture. The garden will also be used to teach pupils about nutrition and food science.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
The garden has had a positive impact on provision and pupils’ standards at school. The garden has provided a creative learning space for pupils to explore and discover new concepts, ideas, and knowledge. It has also enabled pupils to develop their communication and collaboration skills as they work together in the garden. In addition, the garden has provided a space for pupils to get outside and engage in physical activity, which has had a positive impact on the pupils’ mental and physical wellbeing. Furthermore, the garden has enabled pupils to connect with nature, which, as research shows, can improve pupils’ concentration, academic performance, and overall physical health.
The pupils are very engaged in the gardening lessons. They are motivated to learn and take part in activities such as planting seeds and vegetables, weeding, and watering. They have developed a sense of pride and accomplishment through watching their plants grow and thrive as well as seeing the garden taking shape. Gardening lessons also provide an opportunity for pupils to learn about the environment, nature, and the importance of sustainability. The gardening lessons have helped pupils develop their problem-solving and team-working skills, as well as their patience, resilience and self-discipline. Through working to create the garden, the pupils have learnt to cooperate and appreciate the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.
How have you shared your good practice?
The school has shared its practice with North Wales Wildlife Trust who have promoted the work undertaken by the pupils during open days and local events. The school will be holding a community open day and the local community will be invited to attend. The intention is to engage with the community and encourage them to work with North Wales Wildlife Trust in the school garden at the weekends. The school is also working closely with its partner primary schools to offer opportunities for pupils to attend the school and participate in activities in the garden. Currently, Year 6 pupils with ALN have been attending the Year 7 ‘garddio’ lessons to familiarise themselves with the school by giving them the opportunity to overcome any fears by spending time with Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni staff and pupils out in the safe space of the school community garden.