Sponsored Blog by Ashville Prep School
Following the increased time spent indoors at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is now even more important for prep and primary school age children to recoup the lost time that they missed outdoors, which is integral to their development. Some year groups were more affected than others, particularly those who lost out on valuable early years experiences and had to contend with home and online learning when schools closed.
The start of the new academic year at Ashville Prep School has seen the introduction of Outdoor Learning for all pupils, from Reception to Year 6, which enables them to learn traditional elements of the curriculum in an alternative, exterior setting. Each Prep School pupil receives at least one outdoor lesson each week. But why is learning outdoors so important?
More conversations about mental health are happening in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic but there is still work to be done, with one in six* children aged 5 to 16 likely to have a mental health problem. Being out in the fresh air helps to clear the mind and support pupils’ wellbeing. Because pupils are naturally encouraged to be more physically active when learning outdoors, this will be another boost to their mental health, due to the release of endorphins, relief of tension and stress, and being distracted from any niggling worries.
By taking a lesson to an outside setting, our Prep School teachers can introduce concepts from a different perspective and use innovative methods to explain elements that are sometimes more challenging to understand. By engaging with pupils in this way, pupils can grasp new or tricky concepts more quickly and confidently.
Outdoor education forms part of Ashville’s fun, holistic approach to learning. It embraces physical and visual learning techniques that transform certain elements of the curriculum, making learning more accessible, more memorable and more fun!
This isn’t just about the specific act of building a fire or using tools to make something, or the specific skills being taught in any one lesson. These are about the ‘future ready’ skills that assist an individual through their life. Outdoor learning activities enable children to develop collaboration and teamwork skills from an early age, and grow creativity and problem-solving skills. By making outdoor learning an integral part of the curriculum, rather than an odd-on, children get used to donning suitable clothing and heading outside, shaping a can-do attitude and enabling them to seize opportunities.
Who doesn’t remember the first time they toasted marshmallows on a campfire or took a tree rubbing with crayons? Lessons delivered so far outdoors have been popular with pupils, who have described them to be much more interactive and memorable than sitting in the classroom.
Ava in Year 6 said: “Outdoor Learning is good as you learn about lots of different subjects in a really fun way, and it sticks in your memory. This week we learnt about map symbols; we had to find different signs hidden around school. Some were hanging from trees and we then learnt facts about those trees, so we combined geography with nature!”
Outdoor learning is one of the clear benefits of choosing Ashville Prep School for your child. We understand that you will have questions, so we always ensure our subject specialists, such as Mr Paul Oldham, our Outdoor Learning Teacher and Consultant, are around when families visit. Visitors can also see the dedicated Outdoor Learning area, complete with an emperor bell tent and fire pit.
We welcome enquiries from parents wanting to find out more about how to apply for September 2023 entry into Reception class and the rolling application process for entry into other year groups. Why not attend our Reception Class information evening on Monday 1 December, or come to our next Open Doors event and see our School ‘in action’ on 7 December? For the full details, visit our website.
