At Alkerden, we believe that learning does not only happen indoors. Outdoor learning is a vital part of a broad and balanced education: it helps learners connect with nature, develop practical skills, nurture personal growth and build resilience. Through our outdoor learning programme we aim to: 

• Inspire a love of the natural world and a sense of wonder and respect for the environment. 

• Give learners opportunities to explore, investigate, observe and interact with the outdoors, using all their senses. 

• Develop physical skills, coordination and confidence by engaging in outdoor activity, movement and practical tasks. 

• Foster personal and social growth: collaboration, communication, teamwork, independence, risk awareness, problem solving and respect for self, others and nature. 

• Provide enriching, meaningful experiences beyond the classroom that support learners’ mental and emotional wellbeing. 

• Embed outdoor learning across the curriculum, making links between outdoor experiences and subjects such as science, geography, art and PSHE, to deepen understanding and context. 

• Ensure that all learners, regardless of background or need, have access to high quality outdoor learning, with appropriate support and challenge. 

We aim for outdoor learning to be more than occasional: it is a core part of life at Alkerden, helping learners grow physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually. 

• Outdoor learning is offered throughout the school, from Early Years through to the older primary years. Sessions take place regularly, across seasons and weather (with exceptions for safety) to give learners sustained experience in the natural environment. 

• Where possible, outdoor learning is linked with classroom learning,  science investigations, environmental education, art inspired by nature, geography, mathematics in outdoor contexts, providing real world relevance and making learning more meaningful. 

• Outdoor learning is fully inclusive: tasks and activities are adapted as needed, so learners of all abilities can participate and succeed; there are differentiated opportunities from guided support to open-ended challenge  to ensure every learner benefits. 

• The outdoor programme supports wellbeing: time outdoors, fresh air, connection with nature, movement and sensory experiences help reduce stress, support emotional regulation, increase enjoyment and foster positive mental health. 

• Through group tasks and collaborative projects, learners build social skills: communication, cooperation, sharing responsibility, turn taking, problem-solving and peer support. They learn to manage risk, make decisions and show resilience when tasks are challenging. 

• Practical tasks and outdoor challenges help develop physical strength, coordination, gross and fine motor skills, balance and spatial awareness, supporting overall physical development and healthy, active lifestyles. 

• Learners use outdoor spaces to observe seasonal change, investigate plants, animals and habitats, collect natural materials, experiment and ask questions, building their curiosity, scientific and environmental understanding. 

• Activities are varied: they include structured tasks led by adults and child initiated or learner-led exploration. Some sessions focus on developing outdoor skills (such as building shelters, using natural materials, exploring habitats, nature watching), others on free play, creative expression, environmental awareness or cross-curricular learning. 

By the time learners leave Alkerden  our outdoor learning programme ensures that they: 

• Are confident, curious and respectful about the natural world and understand their role as stewards of the environment. 

• Possess practical outdoor skills and physical competence: able to navigate, explore, observe, use tools or natural materials safely, and engage with nature actively. 

• Demonstrate strong social, communication and collaboration skills, able to work effectively with others, share responsibility, solve problems and support peers in a variety of outdoor and group contexts. 

• Are emotionally resilient, self-aware and mentally well: able to regulate emotions, enjoy outdoor activity, find calm in nature, and draw on outdoor experiences for mental wellbeing. 

• Approach challenges with confidence and resilience, willing to take safe risks, overcome obstacles, learn from mistakes and persist when tasks are difficult. 

• Connect learning across curriculum and life: using experiences from outdoor learning to deepen scientific, geographical, artistic or ethical understanding, and recognising the relevance of outdoor learning beyond the classroom. 

• View themselves as independent, responsible, capable contributors, with a sense of ownership and pride in both themselves and the natural world around them. 

The impact of the outdoor learning curriculum at Alkerden is evident in learners who enter naturally into learning through curiosity, engage actively with the world outside, support and collaborate with others, show respect for nature and community, think critically about the environment and sustainability, and carry a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and what it can teach them. 

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