Our Outdoor Learning Vision: A Five-Year Journey

At Highfields Primary School, outdoor learning is an exciting and emerging area of development. Building on the success of our recently established 'Welly Wednesday' sessions in Key Stage 1, we are embarking on an exciting journey to create a rich, progressive and inspiring outdoor learning curriculum that enables every child to connect with the natural world and learn beyond the classroom walls.

Our long-term goal is to develop a broad range of outdoor experiences, including Forest School and Beach School, that nurture the whole child and provide opportunities for exploration, discovery and personal growth through our school values.

We are aiming to:   

• Cultivate curiosity by encouraging learners to ask questions, investigate their surroundings, and follow their interests to deepen their understanding of the world.  

• Foster creativity through open-ended exploration, imaginative play, and opportunities to express themselves using natural materials  

• Provide purposeful challenge, helping children develop resilience, independence, and confidence as they take managed risks, solve problems and overcome obstacles in nature.  

• Develop collaboration by creating opportunities for pupils to support one another in dynamic, outdoor environments.  

• Strengthen community and environmental stewardship by helping children develop respect for each other, their local environment and the wider world.

By the end of this five-year development journey, we aspire for every Highfields learner to leave Year 6 with a strong connection to nature, confidence in outdoor environments and an understanding of how they can positively contribute to the world around them.

How will we teach Outdoor Learning? 

As we develop our outdoor learning provision, we will continue to build upon the strong foundations already established within our Early Years provision and KS1 Welly Wednesday sessions.

In EYFS, the outdoor environment already remains an extension of the classroom, where children develop independence, curiosity and confidence through exploration, investigation and play-based experiences. In Key Stage 1, our Welly Wednesday programme continues to grow, providing regular opportunities for children to engage with nature, develop practical skills and build positive attitudes towards learning outdoors. Across Key Stage 2, staff have begun to make greater use of the outdoor environment across the curriculum, delivering lessons in other curriculum subjects outside, alongside specific outdoor learning experiences including fire lighting and cooking over fires. 

Through our development journey, we are aiming to establish a progressive programme of outdoor learning experiences that include environmental projects, outdoor challenges and opportunities to learn within the local landscape. As our vision develops, we also aspire to introduce Forest School and Beach School experiences across the school, making the most of our unique location and enabling pupils to learn from and engage with the unique natural environments within and beyond our school grounds.

Outdoor learning will become an increasingly embedded part of curriculum delivery, with teachers regularly taking learning beyond the classroom to enhance understanding, increase engagement and support pupils' health and wellbeing. 

Developing a Progressive Curriculum  

Our intention is to design a carefully structured curriculum that builds skills, knowledge and understanding progressively from EYFS to Year 6.

Children will develop practical outdoor skills alongside a growing understanding of nature, sustainability and environmental responsibility. Experiences will become increasingly challenging and ambitious as pupils move through the school, allowing them to develop confidence, leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

As our provision evolves, we intend to introduce opportunities such as:

• Forest School experiences

• Beach School learning

• Den and shelter building

• Environmental stewardship projects

• Orienteering and navigation

• Safe tool use

• Fire-lighting and outdoor cooking

• Nature conservation activities

• Local ecosystem and biodiversity studies

Throughout this journey, outdoor experiences will complement and enrich learning across the wider curriculum.

How will we make Outdoor Learning real and relevant? 

Our long-term ambition is for outdoor learning to become a purposeful and meaningful part of school life.

We will increasingly utilise our school grounds and local environment to provide authentic contexts for learning across subjects including science, geography, mathematics, English and the arts.

We also aim to strengthen partnerships with community organisations and environmental groups. Building on our existing work with PACE Manningtree and participation in wildlife and sustainability projects, we want our pupils to play an active role in enhancing biodiversity and caring for their local environment.

How will we make Outdoor Learning accessible to all pupils? 

As our outdoor learning provision develops, inclusion will remain at its heart.

We are committed to ensuring that every child can participate fully and successfully through carefully planned adaptations, appropriate adult support and personalised approaches where required.

We want all pupils, regardless of need or background, to benefit from the confidence, wellbeing and sense of achievement that outdoor learning can provide.

How do we integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning? 

As part of our long-term vision, we intend to use technology purposefully to enhance outdoor experiences.

We are aspiring for our children to use digital tools for activities such as:

• Mapping and navigation
• Photography and observation
• Data collection and analysis
• Environmental monitoring
• Research and recording learning

This balanced approach will help pupils develop digital literacy while maintaining strong connections with real-world experiences.

How do we measure the impact of Outdoor Learning? 

As our outdoor learning journey develops, we will evaluate its impact through a range of measures that reflect both academic and personal development.

We will gather evidence through:

• Learning journals and digital floor books
• Photographs and recorded outcomes
• Pupil voice activities
• Staff observations
• Wellbeing and engagement measures
• Assessment of key skills and knowledge
• Participation in environmental and community projects

Over time, we expect to see growing confidence, resilience, independence, teamwork and environmental awareness, alongside increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning.

Ultimately, our ambition is for outdoor learning to become a distinctive and valued feature of life at Highfields Primary School, providing every child with memorable experiences, meaningful challenges and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.