4 minute read
Let them play
rd rec ear ed a pot a a fi ali t i o r a ard ca pai or the o tdoor lear i pro i io it o er Sarah Mannion, Head o P pil el are at the co ed prep chool tell ore
The restorative e ects of spending time in green space for mental health and wellbeing purposes has become more widely understood and valued in recent years. Ardvreck School, set in 40 acres, surrounded by stunning views of high mountains, elds and ancient woodland, is incomparable in its location and has been promoting the importance of outdoor play since 1883. It has green space by the bucketload and every single pupil uses it on a daily basis. From three year olds in nursery to 13 year olds at week-long adventure camps – and everyone in between, learning in nature is part of what we do best.
Let the children play? We certainly do!
Without free play, and without adults constantly jumping in to say ‘be careful!’ or to sort out friendship issues, how can a child learn to navigate the essential skills of negotiation? Of risks? Of deep communication? Of standing up for their own ideas? Of sticking up for others? If we don’t give them space and time to practise these essential life skills in a safe environment, they will most likely grow into people who will continue to need ongoing help and support to navigate every aspect and intricacy of adult life. ese skills must be allowed and encouraged to develop as early as possible in children. Children’s abilities are o en underestimated or held back by adults who ‘interfere’ (with good intention, of course) far too quickly. Although children will know that an adult is, of course, always on hand to help – if help is required.
Everyone wants their children to be ‘happy’ at school – but school is a learning environment. And sometimes the lessons can be tough! Regular and repeated time spent in nature allows time for learning to be processed and for lessons to ‘click’. Learning to ask for help, and then accepting help when it’s needed, is a key life skill. Learning that resolutions don’t have to be perfect is another. is social and emotional growth begins in the earliest days of Ardvreck with sessions in our woodlands. e school bell rings a er our long morning break, and more than 100 welly-booted children will appear, climbing down from the trees, emerging from streams and woodland areas, feeling more refreshed, calmer, and ready to go back to work in their classrooms a er their time outdoors. Do they go out in the rain and snow? Of course! at’s why we have warm and waterproof clothing as part of our school uniform. From the nursery right up to the oldest 13 year olds – they come back to classes o en wearing plenty of mud, with leaves in their tangled hair, big grins on their faces, sometimes blasted by wind, sun, snow and rain!
Our school tradition of spending time
outdoors is what makes Ardvreck special. ere’s a whole-school approach to planning and delivering an outstanding programme of balanced learning activities in order to provide developmental experiences, build resilience and to enhance pupil con dence, progression, self-esteem and wellbeing. From the earliest days spent learning to entertain themselves, to collaborate and to play freely in the forest environment, will later become full adventure days, learning skills in bushcra , mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking etc, before progressing to even longer journeys (by foot or on water), to climbing several munros and doing overnight camps. e nal term at Ardvreck includes a week-long adventure camp; the pinnacle of their time at our school. It’s time to show o what accomplished, practical, t, brave and caring young people they’ve become as they tackle new challenges in the outdoors. Time spent in green space is known to be a facilitator of mental health, reducing stress and lowering heart rates. We take the wellbeing of our pupils as seriously as academic and Ardvreck is set in 40 acres of land in the foothills of the sporting achievements. Time spent in a green space enhances concentration Scottish Highlands and learning, improving attention span and the ability to embed and retain information. Of course we spend time in more traditional classroom settings too, but we have found a great balance. As everyone knows life skills are about far more than just academic skills – and at Ardvreck we prepare children for real life. Our pupils are resilient, they work hard, play hard and achieve excellent results in their examinations for senior school entrance to the very best of schools across the UK. What more could you want for your child?
Children in nursery at Ardvreck enjoy daily nature walks
