Herts &amp; Beds

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/StJospehsHead-2-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Douglas Brown Head of St Joseph's in the park prep" class="wp-image-78226" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/StJospehsHead-2-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/StJospehsHead-2-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/StJospehsHead-2-1-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/StJospehsHead-2-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Mr Douglas Brown, Head of St Joseph&#8217;s in the Park in Hertingfordbury</figcaption></figure>



What, in a nutshell, is outdoor learning all about?



It&#8217;s an educational approach that uses the outdoor environment for teaching and learning across various subjects and disciplines and takes place anywhere from forests, parks and gardens to urban spaces. The core idea is to engage students in active, hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom setting, encouraging exploration, observation, experimentation and discovery as well as developing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Overall, outdoor learning enriches the educational experience, encourages a deeper understanding of the world, and nurtures a lifelong appreciation for nature and the environment.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="643" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Forest-School-Outdoor-Classrooms-1000x643.jpg" alt="Outdoor classroom at St Joseph's in the Park" class="wp-image-78227" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Forest-School-Outdoor-Classrooms-1000x643.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Forest-School-Outdoor-Classrooms-800x514.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Forest-School-Outdoor-Classrooms-817x525.jpg 817w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Forest-School-Outdoor-Classrooms.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>On of St Joseph&#8217;s Outdoor Classrooms</figcaption></figure>



We&#8217;ve all heard of things like outdoor classrooms and Forest School &#8211; but does outdoor education go further than that?



Absolutely! It can encompass everything from nature walks, scientific investigations and ecological studies, to art projects, team-building exercises and more. Open-air classrooms allow teachers to conduct regular lessons in designated outdoor settings, adapting their methods and resources to the natural environment. While Forest School is an immersive, long-term outdoor learning approach that originated in Scandinavia. It involves regular visits to wooded areas, where students engage in hands-on, child-led activities and experiences &#8211; such as shelter building and fire making &#8211; with the aim to develop independence, self-esteem, and resilience.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-josephs-Forest-School-girls-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-78228" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-josephs-Forest-School-girls-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-josephs-Forest-School-girls-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-josephs-Forest-School-girls-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-josephs-Forest-School-girls.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>A Forest School lesson at St Joseph&#8217;s in the Park</figcaption></figure>



Other examples of outdoor learning are: 



Nature-based education integrates the outdoors into the curriculum across different subjects, such as conducting science experiments in a local wetland, writing poetry inspired by a hike in the mountains, or learning about culture through a visit to a historical site.



Adventure education is where students take part in outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, kayaking, hiking or orienteering, which foster personal growth, teamwork, problem-solving, and risk assessment skills. 



Environmental education focuses on sustainability, conservation and awareness of ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change and preserving the environment. This may involve field trips to natural habitats, wildlife observation, or community environmental projects. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Trips-Canoe.jpg" alt="children in canoes on a river or lake" class="wp-image-78229" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Trips-Canoe.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Trips-Canoe-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Trips-Canoe-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-in-the-park-Trips-Canoe-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



What are the key benefits of outdoor education? 



There are so many! It fosters a sense of wonder, curiosity, and connection with nature; enhances students&#8217; motivation, engagement, and overall well-being; and provides opportunities for practical, experiential learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Outdoor learning also promotes physical activity and environmental awareness, as well as positive impacts on mental health. 



Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, as well as having a calming and rejuvenating effect on mental well-being. It also stimulates the senses and offers novel experiences, which can enhance concentration, attention span and learning engagement. Natural settings also reduce distractions often found in the classrooms, allowing students to focus on the task at hand. Plus, outdoor education encourages teamwork, cooperation and communication, which helps to develop social skills, build relationships, and enhance emotional intelligence and empathy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Outdoor-Learning-2-boys-1000x750.jpg" alt="Two boys with school books outdoors. " class="wp-image-78230" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Outdoor-Learning-2-boys-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Outdoor-Learning-2-boys-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Outdoor-Learning-2-boys-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Outdoor-Learning-2-boys.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Outdoor learning can be particularly beneficial for students with SEND thanks to the sensory stimulation, the access to inclusive and flexible spaces and opportunitIes to explore their surroundings and develop their skills at their own pace.



What are you doing to improve and expand your outdoor education offering?



At <a href="https://stjosephsinthepark.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Joseph&#8217;s in the Park</a>, have recently introduced two outdoor classrooms in our Forest School area and created paths and nature trails through the woods for all the children to enjoy. Plus we&#8217;re soon going to be developing our Early Years playground to offer a more natural playscape. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School.jpg" alt="Children in an outdoor classroom at St Joseph's in the Park school" class="wp-image-78232" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josphs-Outdoor-Classroom-Forest-School-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



What could other schools learn from what you are doing?



It&#8217;s about actively integrating outdoor education into the curriculum. Staff training and professional development is crucial. Providing teachers opportunities such as workshops and collaborations with experts, as well as training in risk management and safety protocols, will maximise the benefits of outdoor education for the students as well as help teachers feel more confident in leading outdoor experiences.



Schools could also look at establishing partnerships with local organisations, such as environmental groups, outdoor education centres or experts in relevant fields. These collaborations can offer access to additional resources, expertise and opportunities to engage in specialised outdoor activities or community-based initiatives.



What if schools don&#8217;t have big budgets or a lot of space to work with?



I&#8217;d encourage teachers to look around their school to see where they can create dedicated outdoor learning spaces, such as gardens, nature trails, or outdoor classrooms. You can make the most of any outdoor space that&#8217;s already available, from playgrounds or even nearby parks. It doesn&#8217;t have to be too fancy or complex &#8211; simply being in the fresh air can provide valuable benefits.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Girl-Forest-School-table-1000x750.jpg" alt="Girl in school uniform with leaves on a table outside forest school" class="wp-image-78231" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Girl-Forest-School-table-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Girl-Forest-School-table-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Girl-Forest-School-table-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/St-Josephs-Girl-Forest-School-table.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Portable outdoor learning kits are great, too. These could include things like magnifying glasses, field guides, measuring tapes, clipboards, or nature journals. Teachers can easily bring them outside and incorporate them into lessons or activities.



Any why not take students on a nature walk around the school or in nearby natural areas? They can observe and document plants, animals, or natural phenomena. It&#8217;s a simple yet effective way to connect with nature and stimulate curiosity.



What do you see/hope for the future of outdoor learning in schools?



There&#8217;s definitely is a growing recognition of the numerous benefits and potential for outdoor learning to transform education. We can expect to see a number of trends coming through in future, from integrating technology (think immersive experiences and virtual reality field trips), to blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor learning (think &#8216;classrooms without walls&#8217;). 



Sustainability will continue to be high on the agenda with schools prioritising environmental education, covering topics such as renewable energy, waste reduction, and ecological restoration, and building a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship. And I expect to see schools investing in adaptive equipment, sensory-friendly outdoor spaces, and learning materials to accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.



<a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-josephs-park-hertingfordbury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read the Muddy review of St Joseph&#8217;s in the Park here. </a>

Blue sky thinking: why outdoor learning is here to stay

You may also like