At West Kirby Primary School, the focus on outdoor learning has become an integral part of the curriculum, providing students with enriching experiences that complement traditional classroom instruction. As a community-focused institution, the school has taken a thoughtful approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students during these outdoor learning activities.
Laying the Groundwork for Safe Outdoor Learning
The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) at West Kirby Primary School is designed to double-check that that every child feels valued, happy, and safe. By effectively combining play and learning, the school strives to create an enabling environment where children can consolidate their knowledge, explore new concepts, solve problems, and collaborate with their peers.
To achieve this, the school has identified three key characteristics of effective teaching and learning:
- Playing and Exploring: Children are encouraged to engage in active play, investigate, and “have a go” at new challenges.
- Active Learning: Students are motivated to concentrate, keep trying, and enjoy their achievements.
- Creating and Thinking Critically: Children are supported in developing their own ideas, making links between different experiences, and choosing ways to do things.
By fostering these characteristics, West Kirby Primary School ensures that its outdoor learning environments are engaging and promote meaningful learning experiences for all students.
Prioritizing Safety through Comprehensive Policies
The school’s commitment to safety is further reflected in its comprehensive policies and procedures. The EYFS Team works closely with parents and carers to establish a strong partnership, ensuring that the needs of individual learners are met, and that any concerns or issues are promptly addressed.
Some of the key safety measures and policies implemented by West Kirby Primary School include:
- Safeguarding Protocols: The school has designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and follows strict protocols to double-check that the protection and well-being of all students, both in the classroom and during outdoor activities.
- Risk Assessments: Thorough risk assessments are conducted for each outdoor learning activity, identifying potential hazards and implementing appropriate control measures to mitigate risks.
- Emergency Preparedness: The school has robust emergency plans in place, including procedures for responding to accidents, injuries, or other incidents that may occur during outdoor learning sessions.
- Parental Involvement: Parents and carers are actively involved in their children’s outdoor learning experiences, with regular communication, workshops, and opportunities to participate in activities.
- Staff Training: The EYFS team receives comprehensive training on outdoor safety, first aid, and best practices for facilitating engaging and enriching outdoor learning experiences.
By prioritizing safety through these robust policies and procedures, West Kirby Primary School ensures that its students can explore and learn in the great outdoors with confidence and security.
Integrating Outdoor Learning into the Curriculum
The school’s commitment to outdoor learning extends beyond just ensuring safety; it is woven into the very fabric of the curriculum. The EYFS at West Kirby Primary School recognizes the importance of learning and development and the fact that children develop and learn at different rates.
To support this, the school has adopted the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021), which outlines seven areas of learning and development that children should be expected to have attained by the end of the EYFS. These areas include:
Prime Areas:
– Communication and Language
– Physical Development
– Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
Specific Areas:
– Literacy
– Mathematics
– Understanding the World
– Expressive Arts and Design
By integrating outdoor learning into these various subject areas, West Kirby Primary School is able to provide students with meaningful and engaging learning experiences that connect classroom concepts to the natural world around them.
For example, during outdoor exploration, students may:
- Observe and describe the natural environment, fostering their understanding of the “Understanding the World” area.
- Engage in physical activities that promote gross motor skills and overall physical development.
- Collaborate with their peers to solve problems or create artistic representations of their outdoor experiences, nurturing their personal, social, and emotional development.
The school’s approach to outdoor learning is further supported by the “Development Matters” advisory document, which highlights the importance of reflecting on the different rates at which children are developing and adjusting practice accordingly.
Cultivating a Positive Partnership with Parents and Carers
At the heart of West Kirby Primary School’s approach to outdoor learning is a strong emphasis on parental and caregiver involvement. The school recognizes that parents and carers play a fundamental role in a child’s development as their first educators, and it aims to support this role through open and transparent communication.
Some of the key ways the school fosters this collaborative partnership include:
- Providing opportunities for parents and carers to learn about the EYFS and young children’s learning, both in school and at home, through events like “Meet the Teacher” meetings and workshops.
- Encouraging two-way information sharing about each child’s individual needs and progress, using platforms like the online learning journey “Tapestry” and in-person discussions.
- Welcoming parents and carers into the EYFS setting as much as possible, such as during the settling-in period, “Stay and Play” sessions, and “Mystery Reader” events.
- Offering support and resources to help parents and carers contribute their own skills, knowledge, and interests to the activities of the EYFS.
- Maintaining regular contact with parents and carers to provide updates on their child’s achievements, progress, and next steps.
By working closely with families, West Kirby Primary School ensures that outdoor learning is not just a school-based initiative, but a collaborative effort that involves the entire community. This partnership helps to foster a sense of trust, understanding, and shared responsibility in ensuring the safety and well-being of the school’s students during outdoor learning activities.
Cultivating a Love for Nature and the Great Outdoors
Beyond the practical considerations of safety and curriculum integration, West Kirby Primary School’s focus on outdoor learning is also driven by a deeper commitment to fostering a love for nature and the great outdoors among its students.
The school recognizes that exposure to natural environments can have a profound impact on a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. By providing opportunities for students to explore, investigate, and engage with the natural world, the school aims to nurture a lifelong connection with the outdoors and a deep appreciation for the environment.
This approach is further bolstered by the school’s collaboration with local partners and community organizations, such as the Fidalgo Nature School. By working together, these entities can leverage their collective expertise and resources to deliver high-quality outdoor learning experiences that are both safe and engaging for the students of West Kirby Primary School.
Conclusion
At the core of West Kirby Primary School’s approach to outdoor learning is a steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its students. By implementing comprehensive policies, fostering strong partnerships with parents and caregivers, and integrating outdoor learning into the curriculum, the school is able to provide its students with enriching and meaningful experiences that connect classroom concepts to the natural world.
Through this holistic approach, West Kirby Primary School is not only equipping its students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive, but also cultivating a deep appreciation for the environment and a lifelong connection to the great outdoors. As the school continues to evolve and adapt its outdoor learning initiatives, it serves as an inspiring example of how local educational institutions can prioritize safety while nurturing a love for nature in the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Statistic: Local news engagement has risen by 40% in West Kirby over the past year
