Outdoor Education

At Perton, we strive to extend our values beyond the classroom by encouraging children to develop resilience and explore new skills. We instill a passion for the outdoors and teach children to be respectful of our environment and nurturing towards living animals and plants. Outdoor learning boosts confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, physical abilities, knowledge, and understanding. It has also been shown to increase children’s self-esteem, self-confidence, cooperative skills, and positive attitude towards learning.

At Perton, we offer:

Forest School

Outdoor Learning

Outdoor Education at St. Regis Academy

Our Forest School leaders are Mrs Holland and Mrs Westwood.

At Perton Primary Academy, we want all of our learners to experience outdoor education through forest school.

In forest school, learners will be developing their gross and fine motor skills, coordination, strength, sensory use, spatial awareness, navigation, confidence, independence, and self-esteem, allowing children to benefit from outdoor learning and express themselves freely.

Forest School promotes independent learning, creativity, and adaptation by allowing children to explore their own ideas and interests through play, encouraging them to observe and learn from others, and offering opportunities to express themselves and develop practical skills.

Finally, Forest School promotes overall well-being, confidence, resilience, and empathy by encouraging independent learning, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptation to challenges, fostering personal growth and emotional development in a supportive outdoor environment.

Children will be learning to use tools safely, manage their own risks and risks for others, under the supervision of the forest school leaders.

Our Forest School principles:

  • Forest School is for all children and young people.
  • Forest School builds on a child’s innate motivation and positive attitude to learning, offering them the opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning for themselves.
  • Forest School is organised and run by qualified Forest School leaders.
  • Forest School maximises the learning potential in local woodland through a 6-week program.
  • Forest School helps children to understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment.

Outdoor learning at Perton, involves engaging children in activities outside the traditional classroom environment to foster their personal and social development. It encourages hands-on experiences, exploration, and interaction with nature, allowing children to develop practical skills, environmental awareness, and a sense of responsibility towards the natural world. This holistic approach not only enhances their academic learning but also contributes to their overall well-being and self-confidence.

Activities during outdoor learning:

  • Observing wildlife
  • Navigating outdoor spaces help improve physical abilities, coordination, and motor skills
  • Water and sand play
  • Splashing in muddy puddles
  • Chopping fruits and vegetables

 

 

St. Regis and our team have partnered to offer our learners the chance to enhance their skills by attending weekly outdoor education sessions at St. Regis School, led by Vice Principal Mr. Green.

At the moment, our year 4’s have visited St. Regis, but we do hope to offer this opportunity to other year groups at Perton.

So far at St. Regis, we have:

  • Built fires to cook food such as, hot dogs, popcorn and bread
  • Used knives to whittle wood
  • Used knives to make our own pegs
  • Developed team building skills