Outdoor Learning

Here at Woolton Hill Juniors we are extremely fortunate to have a large outdoor space including our very own woodland. This area can be accessed jointly by both pupils from the Infant and Junior schools. We have extensively developed the woodland area to create an outstanding outdoor learning site. 

The site has: 

- a dedicated room for outdoor learning inputs (when the weather is less kind!) and storage for all our wonderful resources

- a purpose built areas for den building with poles and tee-pee structures 

- child friendly pathways to link the site and an outdoor sink 

- a mud kitchen, water play area and several large bug hotels

- several log circles for outdoor activities and input spaces

- a woodland fire circle and fire pit 

- covered outdoor spaces to play and learn outside

We use the outdoors to support and enrich our learning in most subjects e.g. art projects inspired by the natural world, orienteering outside in PE, fieldwork and map skills outside, maths on the playground and using nature to inspire our writing. 

We also have a separate bespoke outdoor learning curriculum which is progressive and builds up their outdoor learning skills over their time from EYFS to Year 6. The curriculum includes knot typing, den building, fire lighting and identification (see full curriculum skills progression in links).  Classes have two full afternoons of outdoor learning every half term, this is delivered by their class teacher and dedicated outdoor learning Teaching Assistants. All staff are trained by Hampshire Outdoors and are passionate and skilled about the benefits and fun of learning in and from the outdoors. 

Over recent years there has been a growing body of evidence that supports the value of the ‘outdoors’ in terms of children’s development. Outdoor learning provides children with the space to move freely; movement along with play has been described as the most natural and powerful modes of learning for young children. The outdoors also has a huge positive impact on the health and mental wellbeing of children.

During our outdoor learning sessions children are encourage to work both independently and within a group to solve problems in a creative way, building important life skills in the process. Outdoor learning is another way we deliver our Life Learning curriculum and provide our children with real opportunities to be respectful, resilient, focused, independent, aware of boundaries and to regulate their emotions. 

Sustainability and Climate Change

By 2025, all schools are required by the Department for Education (DfE) to name a Sustainability and Climate Change lead. In our school that is Miss Kathryn Knapp, our Deputy Head. 

The DfE say that education plays a vital role in helping to tackle climate change and in creating a better, greener world for future generations. In school we can do this by positively impacting, influencing and inspiring communities by improving the sustainability of our school environment and the knowledge and understanding of our children. 

We agree, and are working to educate our children through our curriculum and through improving our school site to make it more biodiverse. We have written a school Sustainability and Climate Change for the Schools of Woolton Hill which you can read in the links section.