The ‘Natural’ Curriculum
Our experienced staff offer packages of tailored support to help primary schools use their school grounds to make outdoor learning a routine part of primary school life. We offer assessment, resources, techniques and training to enable staff to use their outdoor spaces to support and enhance a range of National Curriculum subjects.
The Trust has a proven track record in this area of educational provision. We have recently worked with 23 primary schools across the West Midlands as part of the Nature Friendly Schools programme. The benefits for pupils include increases in confidence and self-esteem, as well as better engagement with learning. You can read more about its benefits from one of our schools here: St Giles CE Primary School
Our programmes:
An Introduction to Outdoor Learning
1 day training course for teachers £300
This is a fun and practical session that gives participants the basic knowledge and resources needed to start taking learning outdoors. Ideal for staff Inset. It includes
- How outdoor learning supports the National Curriculum and positive mental health in pupils
- Practical sessions linked to the National Curriculum and delivered in your grounds
- Where to find additional resources
- Delivery methods and risk assessments
Introduce Outdoor Learning in Your School
3 days working with key staff and their pupils £800
This package of bespoke support is tailored to your specific school needs and curriculum. It is designed to ‘kick start’ your outdoor learning and includes
- Identifying opportunities for outdoor learning in your school grounds and in medium term curriculum plans.
- Working with teachers to produce curriculum linked lesson plans, resources and risk assessments
- Working with staff and pupils to deliver outdoor lessons in your school grounds.
- Evaluation and next steps.
Outdoor Learning and Mental Health in the Primary School
10 days of bespoke training £2,500
This package incorporates everything from the 3 day programme, but also involves working across a whole key stage and has a more specific focus upon mental health and well-being
- How to embed the academic resilience approach into lessons to maximise the positive mental health and wellbeing benefits of outdoor learning.
Develop a Whole School Approach to Outdoor Learning
20 days of bespoke training £5,000
This package is ideal for those schools who are passionate about making outdoor learning accessible to all pupils. It includes all aspects from the 10 day programme, but involves working with all staff across key stages 1 and 2 and in addition
- How to extend outdoor learning provision onto local green spaces such as parks or nature reserves