everything curriculum | July 2020


This revolution is seeing changes happening in physical environments too, with lots of schools now looking at the potential of their outdoor spaces. Many are adding outdoor classrooms and something as simple as playground markings are changing to include number lines, clock faces on walls and even phonics randomly spread out on the floor, to make playgrounds useful spaces for lessons as well as for playtimes.


Outdoor learning is big news and lots more schools are taking it further by creating wilderness areas and sending teachers on forest schools training which, in simple terms, is teaching traditional scouting skills and helping children understand and get closer to nature. The opportunities this provides for engaging learning in the fresh air are endless.


As with all changes there are of course challenges. At first, the change of scenery can lead to some obvious behaviour issues; the freedom, space and autonomy you are giving children is certainly exciting for them and they don’t always know how to handle it. If you can get past that initial bump in the road and establish a clear structure, you and your pupils will undoubtedly reap the many rewards of outdoor and physically active learning.


Nick Powell is the managing director of PE Partner, an organisation that works alongside schools and community organisations nationally to increase and improve people’s experiences of physical activity.


You can follow Nick on Twitter @PEpartner_uk


There are several PAL and outdoor and adventurous activity ideas included on the SPIRALPETM


platform, which is


exclusively available from YPO. Find out more about the platform at: ypo.co.uk/spiralpe


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