We believe that high quality outdoor learning and educational visits have a positive and lasting impact on pupils.  Evidence clearly shows that being outside has huge benefits on pupils’ health and well-being and helps to stimulate children’s interest in, and curiosity and appreciation of, the world around them.  Educational visits provide a range of memorable experiences which enhance learning and open children up to new possibilities.

Intent

To broaden children’s horizons and learning experiences through a range of memorable activities outside of the classroom which have a significant and positive impact on pupils in terms of their learning, well-being, curiosity, skills and appreciation of the world around them.

Implementation

We have a ‘can do’ attitude towards learning opportunities.  High quality visits and outdoor learning experiences are integral to our long term curriculum planning and therefore our yearly plans integrate relevant, high quality visits and outdoor learning experiences into each year group, identifying how they will positively impact on children’s learning.  In addition, we take advantage of ad hoc opportunities during the year.  Our activities include:

• Upper Key Stage Residential
• Forest School activities
• Using the school grounds for science, geography and other curriculum subjects
• Museum visits
• Using the local environment for field work and learning activities
• Gardening club
• The Daily Mile
• Choir visits to the O2 for Young Voices
• Whole school pantomime visits
• Seaside visits
• Woodland walks
• Field studies on the local river
• Regular Welly Walks in FSU
• Visits to the local environmental centre

Through careful risk / benefit assessments, we plan activities that are accessible to all children regardless of their individual needs.

Impact

Children develop life-long skills and appreciation of the wider world and their horizons are widened to new insights, and possibilities in both the near and distant future.

Children talk positively about their experiences and reflect on what they have learnt, and the ways in which the experience has changed them.

Positive changes are made to children’s confidence, life-skills, personal qualities and understanding.

Children’s attitudes show greater motivation and appreciation for learning.

Children develop greater environmental awareness.