FEATURE FOCUS: OUTDOOR LEARNING
experience. Fairfield Prep School has welcomed puppies, snakes, lizards, meerkats, spiders, and other animals to the school to create dynamic hands-on learning opportunities. Children learn about responsibility, endangered animals, biodiversity, ecology and develop PSED skills such as self-management and bravery.
By introducing hatching chicks and caterpillars into our classrooms, we give our pupils the opportunity to watch a creature’s lifecycle develop in real-time, offering a practical, yet fascinating approach to teaching children about biology and ecology.
The school’s wildlife observation programme also allows children to observe and learn about local wildlife such as birds, insects and small mammals. It enhances their understanding of the natural world, promoting sustainability and a deeper connection to the environment. Students also learn about the importance of conservation and the role they can play in protecting their local surroundings.
participants to explore and learn by interacting with nature.
One of the biggest benefits of the Forest School programme is its impact on communication and language skills. By introducing new words, and using them in a collaborative setting, children widen their vocabulary and improve their ability to express themselves. Furthermore, the programme’s emphasis on physical development is also evident as children participate in various activities such as tree climbing, balancing on logs and rope bridges, and using tools. These activities promote physical development as well as teaching valuable skills like risk management and problem-solving. The Forest School programme also has a significant impact on personal, social and emotional development. Children are encouraged to take part in carefully managed ‘risky’ play, allowing them to assess the dangers and take responsibility for their choices. This teaches them valuable life skills - including decision-making, judgement and accountability. Additionally, students develop a vital connection with their local environment and learn about sustainability and the planet’s importance.
Using creativity and imagination through expressive arts and design, pupils can participate in nature crafts using tools and the on-site fire pit, creating items such as ‘hapa zome,’ dyed items using natural materials and nature sculptures. The programme also encourages cooking outside, thereby promoting healthy eating habits and developing an understanding of the world. The Forest School provides an excellent resource for promoting outdoor learning, covering all curriculum areas and encouraging students to bring their classroom to life through child-initiated play, and applying classroom objectives to real-life situations in the great outdoors.
Yoga
Yoga is a key part of our physical education curriculum because of its positive impact on mental health, physical development (including a
May 2023
strong core which supports posture and strength) working as a team and following instructions. The movements, mindfulness, breathing techniques and body awareness is a great way to boost self-control and positivity as well as enhancing children’s emotional and physical wellbeing. At Fairfield Prep School, yoga is very much part of the curriculum, and it supports children in learning how to regulate their emotions, manage stress, and increase their focus and concentration. Our teachers have been known to feel the benefits of it, too! Play bags
Given the importance of physical activity for children’s development, the school created the ‘play bag’ initiative, which allows parents to access a resource bank of 20 specially created ‘play bags’ to use at home.
Every individual, handmade play bag contains a different physical activity and resource, including instructions and a QR code, each offering helpful tips on how to use the contents of the bag. These are available to take home at any time and keep over the course of a week to be used and enjoyed by the whole family, encouraging collaborative play.
This initiative has proved incredibly successful over the last few years, and what we enjoy most is that each child, and adult, learns something different from the same set of instructions and it’s great to see them share ideas with their classmates when they return to school. Other at-home schemes include our ‘dough gym’; another programme that we’ve implemented to enhance children’s development. The programme helps with the strength and grip development of children’s hands for pre and early writing development.
We even offer a ‘dough gym workshop’ for parents and legal guardians, so they can continue the teaching at home and invest time in their child’s further development, while encouraging them to learn in different environments.
Observing wildlife Pets can really enhance children’s classroom
Many of these activities are things which are easily adapted to take home and can spark lively conversations among families. Parents feel more involved in what their children are doing, and this can improve communications between school and home, creating an open and supportive environment where parents feel comfortable discussing their concerns and ideas. Regular parent-teacher meetings, newsletters, emails and phone calls all help us to build a positive relationship with the parents.
Additionally, involving families in school activities and events helps to strengthen the bond between the school and the community. Schools can organise workshops, parent-teacher events, and volunteering opportunities for parents to participate in. This not only helps to build relationships but also allows families to gain a better understanding of their child’s education and the school’s overall mission and values. It has been something that has really benefitted us and we all get a real boost from seeing children thrive through the activities.
Final thoughts
Outdoor and creative learning can develop future leaders by providing children with a well-rounded education outside of the traditional classroom, enabling them to think independently, make informed decisions and understand their impact on their surroundings.
Our methods have helped to foster a love of learning, exploration, creativity and a deeper connection to the natural world around them. Across the Foundation, we’ve always believed in the benefits of sharing our experiences. Our vision for outdoor learning, and fostering our passion for our environment, extends even further up the educational ladder and out across our local community and social groups, by way of workshops, teacher support and pupil learning. We’ve been delighted to see our students, and those across the local community, transform and take advantage of the resources and learning that we have carefully honed over the years. From a Fairfield Prep perspective, it’s always rewarding to see how those shared experiences, both creatively and in the great outdoors, help to form our pupils into conscientious and responsible young adults who, in the future, may go on to inspire others with the same formative mindset.
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