Learning in the outdoors: providing a wide range of learning experiences.
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Information about the school/provider
Ysgol Santes Tudful opened in 1972 with 18 children. It is now a school with more than 400 children on a relatively new site in Twynyrhodyn, Merthyr Tydfil, with a seedling school having been established at the Gurnos site. The school works towards the same objective, which is to create a happy, supportive and thriving environment for all pupils. There are high expectations in terms of standards and effort, but the same expectation in terms of compassion, consideration, kindness, honesty and respect is also at the heart of provision. All pupils have access to rich experiences in fun and inspiring ways, with opportunities organised for innovation, creativity and critical thinking. We want pupils to take advantage of opportunities, be ambitious and capable and to be ready to learn and contribute as citizens of the 21st century. Outdoor learning is now an integral part of the education of all pupils, where they are given an opportunity to foster independent learning skills, resilience and test their problem-solving skills regularly which, in turn, has a very positive effect on their well-being.
Context and background to the practice
Although it is in a disadvantaged area, the school is fortunate to be situated in a thriving outdoor area which is a haven for wildlife and natural life. The landscape provides learning options and opportunities to provide unique experiences for pupils. The school has developed the land over the years, but during the past five years, it has evolved to ensure regular opportunities for pupils. A full day of education is now provided outdoors for all pupils every fortnight. As a result, 60 pupils learn outdoors every day, every week. Following a huge ‘Welly Walk’ campaign to raise money to provide this, an investment was made in waterproof suits and shoes for all pupils and key resources were purchased to build hides, fire-lighting and cooking equipment. A community initiative has provided and built the two outdoor rooms, a resource shed and the nature area to develop outdoor experiences for pupils.
Description of the nature of the strategy or activity identified as effective or innovative practice
Fizzing curiosity, excitement and independent adventure drive experiences. Our imaginative use of our cynefin, or local area, ensures authentic experiences and the pupil’s voice guides learning, and the development of pupils’ skills is linked to the four purposes of Curriculum for Wales. Learning in the outdoor area enriches and reinforces the skills that take place in the classroom. In the outdoor area, pupils’ orienteering skills, compass work, problem-solving, wild art and craft work, planting and growing, cooking on the fire, scientific experiments and weather and landscape studies are developed. Learning focuses on local and national themes, with pupils guiding learning, for example by:
- recycling and creating a ‘Plastic Bottle House’ in response to global warming
- working with the Cyfarthfa Castle bee project to learn about the importance of bees and make the school’s honey
- planting fruit trees, which has led to making an apple pie
- practising their woodwork skills regularly to build bug hotels, bird feeders, mud kitchens and build a small library that provides free books for the school community
- cooking on an open fire and working with the Fire and Rescue Service to learn about the importance of safety when working outdoors
- leading entrepreneurship projects by using their cynefin or local area and natural resources to create resources and sell them to the school community
- working with the Forestry Commission to understand the problems of fly tipping
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
Regular opportunities are provided for pupils to learn, explore, create and socialise outdoors. This has certainly had an invaluable effect on their wellbeing and learning. Pupils feel comfortable spending a whole day outdoors under the excellent guidance of our experts.
From the nursery class to Year 6, pupils are given regular opportunities to solve problems, take risks and persevere outdoors, which supports them to be independent learners. These valuable experiences also develop pupils’ growth mindset as they face new challenges and develop their ability to work with others to solve problems.
By using natural materials from their cynefin or local area, pupils develop a sound appreciation of the world around us and the local environment. These learning opportunities have a positive effect on pupils’ confidence, as sessions provide them with new experiences.
Our ethos at Ysgol Santes Tudful is to provide rich experiences for all pupils and for them to appreciate that learning happens regularly both in the classroom and outdoors.