Outdoor Learning & Forest Schools
at Blackmoor Park Infant School & Kindergarten
Outdoor Learning & Forest School: Vision & Philosophy
“The philosophy of Outdoor Learning & Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through an innovative, long term, educational approach to outdoor play and learning in a natural environment....By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities...each child has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, sound emotional and social skills. These, through self awareness can be developed to reach personal potential.”
Blackmoor Park Infant School & Kindergarten believe that outdoor play is important for child development and learning, it is an entitlement for our pupils. However, Outdoor Learning is much more than just outdoor play, as the above quote illustrates.
Outdoor Learning is learner-centred and led by the individual. The role of our practitioners is to provide resources, activities and skills development but when the pupil requires or requests them. Observation is the practitioner’s key method of assessing and planning learning for every pupil, lead by the pupil themselves.
Unlike learning in the classroom; Outdoor Learning helps to develop resilience, independence and confidence.