Outdoor adventure learning offers all learners opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment.
At Stoke on Tern, outdoor adventure learning is established as a valuable part of the curriculum for Early Years and Year One children and we are aiming to extend this way of working to the older children as well before too long. It aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners, and thus developing children’s self-esteem and communication and language skills. Adventure learning offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
We are very fortunate at school to have a large site available to us within our school grounds. A typical outdoor adventure session would provide children with a small practical task to achieve, which may involve using tools, building dens, designing an animal home or making a picture from the objects they find on the forest floor. It could even be toasting a marshmallow around the fire pit.
We aim to enjoy outdoor learning sessions throughout the year in all weathers except particularly cold or windy conditions. The children will need to come to school on these days bringing wellies, a waterproof coat and trousers. They will also need gloves, a hat, a scarf and two pairs of socks. This will ensure your child stays warm and dry. In the summer a hat and sun cream will be required.