Emma Schofield, Outdoor Learning Leader and Assistant Head showcased her school: Boston West Academy which moved from OFSTED ‘Special Measures to Outstanding’. Emma discussed how embedding learning outside the classroom across the curriculum changed the culture of a school. This presentation took place at the CLOtC Conference 2018 at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, on Thursday 22nd November 2018.

1. Let’s Get Out There!!
Welcome to
Outdoor Learning
Let’s get
out there!

3. Ofsted quotes
The visionary senior leaders have created a school
garden and grounds that are highly impressive.
Teachers make the best use of this fabulous resource so
that pupils have exceptional learning opportunities.
One member of staff summarised the exceptional
experiences pupils have when they are learning by
explaining, ‘they create memories here that will be
with them for a lifetime’.
OFSTED 2016

4. o The curriculum is outstanding. It is specifically designed to equip
pupils not only with factual knowledge but with leadership and
team-building skills, alongside the ability to problem-solve.
o Teachers take full advantage of the excellent facilities and
resources that the school grounds have to offer. They frequently
plan rich and varied opportunities for pupils to learn outdoors
o Teachers and teaching assistants have high expectations of
pupils in all lessons. Pupils work hard and concentrate for lengthy
periods of time because they are interested in their lessons and
want to achieve well. They understand how the lesson is helping
them to improve their knowledge or skills. For example, pupils in
Year 2 were choosing items from a selection of flowers, twigs,
leaves and pebbles. They worked in small teams to create a visual
representation of the life cycle of a frog. Pupils explained, ’this
helps us to understand it and remember it much better than just
writing in a book’.
OFSTED 2016

5. Don’t think…. What
can I teach outdoors ?
Think of the outdoors as an everyday
aspect of learning, rather than
something separate and so integrate
it within daily teaching! Plan around
what you have in your environment
but don’t be limited by it.

6. Memories of Outdoor Learning at
Boston West Academy
There have been so many memories over the years that it’s difficult to pick
one, but overall, seeing children grow in self-esteem as they achieve things
they didn’t think they could. Life presents so many challenges for our children;
learning outside the classroom can engage even the most reluctant learner and
allow him/her to flourish.
However, one memory I recall in particular was the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of
excitement when I first lit a fire for the children with the ‘dragon sneezer’
– a small spark that ignited their imaginations!
I hope today to do the same for you……..

7. Our Tree of Outstanding
Outdoor Learning at Boston West

8. IMPACT
IMPLEMENTATION
INTENT
WHAT?
WHY ?
HOW ?

9. Get
out
There!
Develop your
grounds to be
a……
…
fieldtrip
on your
door step!

10. Weekend
tidy up daysOutdoor Learning
Courses

11. Top Tips……
• Do it because you want to and not because you think you should / have to.
Establish / share why you want to develop learning outdoors – be clear about the
benefits.
• Let Govenor’s know why you’re taking learning beyond the classroom
• Introduce outdoor learning in a planned and gradual way. Not too quickly as you
may leave some behind!
• Get the children involved, they will be your best advocates - this can be done
through classes, Eco Club, School Council
• Keep parents informed – make sure kids have appropriate clothing for the activity
• Take small steps and keep at it - start with a 'project’ eg creating a growing area
with raised planters, a topic / theme eg Vikings, an aspect of maths eg measures,
or poetry in Literacy.
• Share ideas in planning meetings – ask the question ‘Why indoors?’ Be creative and
take thinking beyond the four walls of the classroom.

12. • Find your champions - at least one member of staff that will be your key
driver to start off with
• Celebrate success in staff meetings – put post-its or photos on display in
staffroom
• Support staff with resources, training (practical and theory), modelling
good practice
• Assess and negate risks (don’t allow paranoia) – play-time on a hard
surface presents as many, if not more risks!
• Develop your school grounds as a learning resource. Don’t despair if your
school grounds are bare – gradually bring the natural environment in
• Seek help from / develop relationships with the wider community
• Nothing beats first-hand experience - get the staff out there and let
them experience the benefits and the possibilities for themselves

13. Outdoor Learning
This is an approach to learning embedded within the curriculum.
It takes place in different environments within and beyond the
school grounds - on day excursions or field trips and residential
experiences.
Its purposes include developing environmental understanding,
encouraging physical activity, health and wellbeing and personal
and social development.
LET'S GET OUT THERE !!

14. 8.45-9.00
900-10.00
10.00-10.15
10.15-11.15
11.15-11.25
11.25-12.00
12.00-1.00
1.00-3.25
Monday
Emma all
day
Registrati
on /
Morning
Work
Lantern designs
Break
Lantern frames
Break
Lantern
decorations
Lunch
Wrapping
Lanterns
KS2
Assembly
3pm
Tuesday
Registrati
on/mornin
g work
Maths
3D Shapes
Break
English
Writing Narrative
Break
Finish
Firework
Maker’s
Daughter
Lunch
Science-
Shadow
Input
Woolly
Reindeer-
Farmer’s
Market
Wednesd
ay
Registrati
on/mornin
g work
Maths
3D Shapes
Break English
Writing Narrative
Break
SPaG
Spelling
Lunch
French Music
Thursda
y
Emma
Registrati
on/mornin
g work
Maths
3D Shapes
Break
English
Writing Narrative
Break
X Tables
Lunch
Rangoli
Patterns
Coloured
flour-
Wonderful
Work
Singing
assembly
3pm
Friday
Registrati
on/mornin
g work
Maths
3D Shapes
Break
English
Wonderful Work
Write-up
Break
Write-Up
WW
Lunch
FARMERS
MARKET
Achieveme
nt
assembly
2:40
Timetable 14.11.16
Miss Hardy

16. English outdoors
• The overarching aim for English in the National
Curriculum is to promote high standards of
literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command
of the written and spoken word, and to develop
their love of literature through widespread
reading for enjoyment.
• There is a strong emphasis on promoting high
standards of literacy, a stronger command of the
written and spoken word and strengthening the
teaching of phonics. Getting outside can really
enhance the learning of many elements of your
English teaching.

17. Maths outdoors……..
Maths often over relied on indoor paper- based
activities to develop children's mathematical skill.
Many adults think of Maths as 'doing sums'. Children do
have a natural interest in numbers, measuring and
shapes aroused by interaction with their environment.
Nurturing mathematical experiences in the outdoor
environment is key to reconnecting children who see
Maths as ‘not their thing.’
Being outside removes many barriers.

18. Sir Jim Rose CBE:
‘Boston West Academy amply demonstrates the huge benefits for children of
outdoor learning. It is one of the best examples I have seen of the innovative
use of the environment for enriching virtually all aspects of the curriculum.’
Course attendees :
‘Lots of practical ideas and very inspirational. Brilliant to watch children in
action.’
‘Didn’t appreciate how valuable outdoor learning could be and how many
different ways you could use it for writing and maths.’
Boston West Children :
‘Outdoor learning is fun, exciting and memorable.’
‘When I've been outside, it makes me feel refreshed; I've got something new
inside me.’
‘It makes learning real.’
‘My learning is good when I’m working outside.’
Boston West Teacher :
‘Using the outdoor environment has filled my mind with exciting possibilities
for enhancing the curriculum. Providing opportunities for children to actively
engage with their learning outdoors has been extremely rewarding.’

19. Wise words………
“The best kept classroom and
the richest cupboard are roofed
only by sky”
Margaret McMillian 1925