Learning Outside the Classroom

As a school we are committed to learning outside the classroom and encouraging the pupils to explore their world as much as possible.

Real-world learning brings the benefits of formal and informal education together and reinforces what good educationalists have always known -that the most meaningful learning occurs through acquiring knowledge and skills through real-life, practical or hands-on activities.

Learning outside the classroom is really just that – Any learning that happens outside of the 4 walls of the classroom. That includes trips into the local community and further afield but also making use of the grounds and resources we have at the school.

We have staff at the school that are Forest School trained and a teacher whose area of curriculum responsibility is developing the learning outside the classroom provision. All the teaching staff have had meetings and in-house training around developing opportunities outside the classroom for their students. The school has achieved the LOtC Bronze Award and are hoping to get the Silver Award in the near future.

Dee Banks students benefit greatly from the grounds and facilities at the school. We have a junior and senior playground, each class has their own outside area, there is a school field, there is a school garden and polytunnel, there is an outside classroom, there is an outdoor gym, there is a sensory trail and outdoor instruments. The school also has three minibuses to ensure pupils have plenty of opportunities for off-site visits.

Forest School has really taken off and the learners love their trips to the woods. One of our teachers was lucky enough to visit our sister school in Cape Town to share his knowledge of Forest School and to teach some of their learners. He had a fantastic time and the visit was really beneficial.

If you require any more information about how the school encourages learning outside the classroom please feel free to get in touch with our curriculum lead for outdoor education, Peter Bradbury [email protected] .