Outdoor Learning Written by Justine Lee from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
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Giving pupils space to learn Responding to the impact Covid-19 has had on learning and meeting guidelines around physical distancing is requiring schools to be innovative in how they deliver the curriculum and support pupil health and wellbeing, writes Justine Lee from the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom In recognition of the consequence of a sustained period of absence from school on the mental health of pupils, both the Welsh and Scottish governments have put outdoor learning at the heart of their guidance to schools on reopening more widely. The Department for Education in England has also recommended that schools utilise outdoor spaces in their planning. The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is campaigning for more schools to re-evaluate how and where they teach. Dr Anne Hunt, chief executive at the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, said: “Teaching doesn’t have to take place in school buildings. Moving outside or utilising other spaces within the local community means teachers will be able to deliver the curriculum safely and effectively whilst ensuring they meet government guidelines on physical distancing. “Children and young people are dealing with high levels of disruption, uncertainty and a lack of physical connection with their friends and with the natural world and the inequalities are widening. Learning
outside the classroom offers a wellevidenced intervention – with almost universal availability and at very low cost – that can make such a big difference to so many children and young people.”
“In the midst of such a traumatic event for many people, the children’s wellbeing has been at the forefront of lessons. Children have been encouraged to talk about their experiences of lockdown and express their hopes and fears for the future. Being in the outdoors is a great way to improve children’s mood and develop their positive mental wellbeing. Not only does it give the children space to run around and let off steam, the outdoors also provides the perfect soundtrack and atmosphere for relaxation and meditation. Sit Spots have been used with children across the school this week. In lessons, children are invited to find a quiet spot in the outdoors and sit. This gives them time for contemplation and a moment to reflect.”
Lack of outdoor space However, many schools don’t have ready access to outdoor space. In recognition of this, Edinburgh City Council has offered all schools in the city its green spaces for use as ‘outdoor classrooms’. Parks, woodlands and Space to learn natural heritage sites can all now be used to Thanks to a long tradition of using outdoor help schools increase pupil capacity when learning, Kendall Primary School in Essex they reopen in August. The Council hopes has been able to welcome over 100 children that this extra space will enable schools back to school since the beginning of June. to increase the amount of face-to-face Lewis Barrett-Rodger, deputy head teacher, learning time they can offer their pupils. said: “When planning to re-open, we knew In London, The Garden Classroom is that our well-established outdoor learning supporting a school in Hackney to overcome would be essential in maintaining social the challenges it faces as a result of distancing and keeping our staff and pupils restrictions due to Covid19. After discussions safe whilst at school. Being outside gives with a church adjacent to the school, our children more space to learn pupils now have access to a and helps them to keep apart The large secure garden area from each other where Counci in the church’s grounds necessary. We also Learnin l for where they can take part know from the science in curriculum-linked that being outside the Cla g Outside s games and naturereduces the risk of s r o o e m is ncoura connection activities. transmission. gin
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