Powell Corderoy Primary
Schoollearning outside the classroom
It’s nice to be learning somewhere different (Rhys Y3)
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) is where teaching and learning is enriched by taking it beyond the traditional classroom environment. It is about getting children out and about, providing them with challenging, exciting and different experiences to help them learn.
It helps your mental health getting some sun (Jack Y3)
It made me feel happy (Toby Y1) - I enjoy it. It makes us happy (Maisie Y2)
At Powell Corderoy, we are lucky to have access to fabulous school grounds, which have many places for teaching and learning. But our learning doesn’t stop there! Our list of LOtC opportunities includes…
- Use of the school grounds
- Visitors to school, including workshops
- Visiting local places within walking distance
- Trips that are a train or coach journey away
We love to celebrate our LOtC with the school community via our school social media.
You get fresh air and a lot more learning space outside (Jude Y5)
It was all about archaeology and actually trying it out. It helps to know what it’s like in case you want to do that with your life (Charlie Y6)
In July 2022, we became part of the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Schools project. This project enabled the children to plan and develop our school grounds, improving its biodiversity. With the help of our wonderful school community, we won first prize for the #TakeAction competition. We were fortunate to win £300 to spend on improving our LOtC, adding to our resource boxes for the infant and junior classes.
We have continued to develop the biodiversity of our grounds by planting new trees and hedging with the view to creating more shade for the future as well as nature corridors.
LOtC (ID 1080)
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Forest ConnectionClick here to read more about Forest Connection
Forest Connection
We are proud that due to our wonderful family volunteers, we have been able to extend our provision of Forest Connection to beyond Year 2. For the last couple of years, Year 3 classes have been fortunate enough to participate in a bonus 6 sessions!
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Nature NurtureClick here to read more about Nature Nurture
Nature Nurture
There is growing research that being around nature and spending time within natural environments offers many benefits to us, including the positive impact it can have on our wellbeing. Over the last few years, we have developed our provision, inviting small groups of children to take part in Nature Nurtures sessions within our Forest Connection area.
What the children say about Nature Nurture and why they are keen to come back for more…
I like having fun here. It’s nice to relax and reset your mind out here.
I still want to do it because it makes me happy. It takes my mind off stuff that I’m sometimes sad about and it’s really fun. My maths is better when I get back to the classroom.
I want to keep coming because it helps me to feel calm and relaxed.
I would love to do Nature Nurture again. It’s not only an opportunity to relax and have fun. I’m learning how to cooperate with people and look after myself.
I would love to come again. I get fresh air and sometimes I get overwhelmed in the classroom. You get to relax and listen to the birds.
Learning Outside the Classroom Policy
What do the children say about LOtC?
Doing numbers outside helps with my books at home (Phoebe Y1)
I had fun because of all the animals (Elleigh Y1)
It’s more relaxing learning outside the classroom (James D Y2)
Outside makes it calmer (Ivy Y2)
Counting outside really helps with your times tables (Myah Y3)
It feels different. It’s not just sitting in a chair (Nathan Y4)
If we are doing maths outside, you can use the chalk and sticks and talk as a group (Jessica Y4)
I feel excited because it won’t just be sitting to learn (Freya Y4)
Excited coming to school knowing we are going on a trip (Maisie Y5)
It makes it more fun and you can sing on the bus (Mia Y5)
You remember more of the fun stuff (Abigail Y6)
I love it! Running outside trying to find clues to maths (Alyssia Y6)
What do the parents say about LOtC?
My daughter thrives outdoors and I think it’s so important to build a connection to the outdoors when they are young so it becomes normal for them growing up and they don’t fear.
I think the key thing is that the children are aware that they can learn everywhere and anywhere, they are curious and ask questions and discover new things all the time. They don’t think that learning only happens in the classroom, they put information from different sources and different experiences together and draw new conclusions so their learning is richer.
I think the Forest Connection sessions are fab. I have also been impressed with the number and variety of school trips on offer - my son really looks forward to attending these and they seem to help embed his learning on particular topics.
Mine find it stimulating and recall what they have learnt far better than from the classroom. I think because they enjoy it they don't realise they are learning!
School trips are good and extend the learning.
It is great for children to reinforce and extend their knowledge by learning in other environments.
It supports curiosity and shows that there are many different ways to learn about the surrounding world.
I definitely hear more about what my daughter has learnt in forest school/school trips than in the classroom which shows she is more engaged in the outside classroom learning, and it is more memorable.
