Outdoor Learning 

“At Highfields Primary School, we love to explore with curiosity and let our creativity shine. We enjoy taking on challenges, working together through collaboration, and caring for our community – because that’s what makes Highfields special!” 

Outdoor Learning Intent 

At Highfields Primary School, our intention is for outdoor learning to inspire a deep connection with the natural world while nurturing the whole child. We aim to create meaningful experiences that empower learners to explore, discover, and grow through our school core values.  

We intend 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.  

• Build a strong sense of community and respect for each other and the environment.  

By the end of Year 6, a Highfields learner will demonstrate practical skills such as accurate observation, data collection, and problem-solving, alongside the ability to work collaboratively and independently. They will understand the importance of sustainability and their role in caring for the natural world and they will be able to use digital tools purposefully to enhance learning without losing connection to real-world experiences. Most importantly, they will leave us with a sense of wonder for nature, the confidence to explore, and the knowledge and skills to apply learning beyond the classroom. 

How is Outdoor Learning implemented?  

In EYFS, children learn through continuous provision, which naturally embeds the principles of outdoor learning. The outdoor environment is an extension of the classroom, allowing pupils to explore, investigate and develop key skills through a combination of child‑initiated play and teacher led activities. This early foundation supports curiosity, independence and confidence when engaging with the natural world.   

From Year 1 to Year 6, children take part in a weekly outdoor learning session. These sessions will combine child-led exploration, guided by pupils’ interests, with activities designed to enrich and complement our curriculum topics. Outdoor learning provides opportunities to develop problem-solving, teamwork and resilience, while fostering a deeper connection with nature.  

Alongside these dedicated sessions, teachers regularly take learning outside to deepen understanding and enhance curriculum delivery. This approach increases pupil engagement, enriches learning experiences, and promotes health and wellbeing, ensuring that outdoor learning is embedded across the curriculum rather than confined to a single weekly slot. 

Progression of skills and knowledge 

We ensure high standards in outdoor learning through a structured, progressive curriculum that develops children’s skills and knowledge over time. Beginning with early exploration in EYFS, where continuous provision naturally embeds outdoor learning principles, children build foundational abilities such as risk awareness, simple tool use, nature identification and understanding habitats and seasonal change. As they move through the school, pupils encounter increasingly challenging opportunities, including fire-lighting, knot-tying, map and compass skills, shelter-building, and exploring ecosystems, food chains and environmental impact. By Upper Key Stage 2, this progression supports advanced problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and environmental stewardship. Wherever possible, learning is connected meaningfully to other curriculum areas, ensuring that outdoor experiences enrich curriculum knowledge while enabling all learners to deepen understanding, refine practical skills and develop confidence. 

How do we make Outdoor Learning real and relevant? 

Outdoor learning at Highfields Primary School is purposeful, engaging and integral to our curriculum, with activities linked directly to objectives across subjects such as science, maths, literacy, geography and the arts. We use our school grounds and local environment to provide authentic contexts for enquiry, problem-solving and creativity, fostering curiosity and resilience in all learners. Through hands-on projects, sustainability initiatives and community connections, for example our work with PACE Manningtree to develop children’s understanding of biodiversity and our participation in a recognised Wildlife Trust award aimed at transforming our school grounds into a nature rich habitat. We help pupils build a deeper awareness of the natural world and their role within it.  

How do we make Outdoor Learning accessible to all pupils? 

We place a strong emphasis on equity, ensuring that all pupils access the same rich outdoor learning opportunities. We carefully consider and plan any adjustments on an individual basis so that every child can participate fully. Outdoor learning at Highfields is inclusive, safe and designed to promote physical well‑being, teamwork and a lifelong appreciation for nature, while reinforcing key knowledge and skills in meaningful and relevant ways. We ensure accessibility through tailored scaffolds, appropriate adult support and personalised planning and assessment to meet individual needs. A high staff‑to‑child ratio further promotes safety, engagement and high‑quality interaction. This approach enables every learner to take part meaningfully, feel successful and thrive within outdoor learning experiences. 

How do we integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning? 

We recognise the importance of developing digital literacy alongside outdoor experiences. Learners will use technology purposefully to enhance their understanding of the natural world—through activities such as digital mapping, photography, data collection, and research—while learning to balance screen time with real-world engagement. Our outdoor learning curriculum is designed to be progressive, building year on year to deepen skills, knowledge, and confidence.   

How do we measure the impact of Outdoor Learning? 

The impact of Outdoor Learning is measured using a range of approaches that demonstrate its influence on pupils’ academic progress, personal development and wellbeing. Progress is monitored through evidence such as learning journals and digital floor books, which include photographs of activities, recorded outcomes and pupils’ explanations of their learning. Pupils’ views are also considered through discussions and opportunities for reflection, enabling them to share their experiences and evaluate their own learning during Outdoor Learning sessions.