Outdoor Learning

Outdoor learning at school and beyond

Making the most of the outdoors both in and out of the school grounds can enhance learning and build character. David Harvey, national chair of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres, explains how to make it happen

Active play creates active lifestyles

Outdoor Learning

Michael Hoenigmann, chair of the Association of Play Industries, comments on why schools have such an important role in changing the dynamics of physical inactivity, and how active play can help

The mobile curriculum

Outdoor Learning

Is learning outside the classroom part of your strategy to improve the quality of teaching at your establishment? If not, it should be, writes Elaine Skates, chief executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

Outdoor spaces for play and learning

Outdoor Learning

With outdoor play increasingly recognised as a factor in a healthy and happy childhood, Michael Hoenigmann of the Association of Play Industries comments on how schools
can make a difference

Progressing through outdoor learning

Outdoor Learning

Outdoor learning can be viewed as a series of building blocks, from exploring school grounds to group expeditions. Andy Robinson of the Institute for Outdoor Learning explains further

Airing out the curriculum

Outdoor Learning

The roll out of the new National Curriculum gives us a great opportunity to be creative with lesson planning and look at how we can engage learners through regular learning outside the classroom, writes Elaine Skates, acting chief executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom

Making room for adventure in school lessons

Outdoor Learning

Taking traditional subjects outdoors can provide a host of learning benefits, writes Alex Brooks-Johnson of Widehorizons

Combating risk  averse attitudes to play

Outdoor Learning

There is plentiful evidence that challenging play provides tangible developmental benefits to children of all ages, writes Colin MacAdam, vice chair of the Association of Play Industries (API)

Harnessing the power  of outdoors

Outdoor Learning

Immersing children in nature can help stimulate pupils not engaged by classroom-based activity, and can bring the curriculum to life, writes Andy Robinson from the Institute for Outdoor Learning

Breathing life into education

Outdoor Learning

Sarah Blackwell of Forest Schools Education discusses the need for schools to help children learn from the natural world and outlines an approach that goes beyond conventional one-day outings

Realising the many benefits play can bring

Outdoor Learning

The Association of Play Industries awaits the long-awaited evaluation of the £235m Play Pathfinders and Play Builders Programmes expected before the end of the year, its new chairman, Michael Hoenigmann, is ready to bang the drum for play at the highest levels and call for the recognition it deserves

A safe place to play – with an element of risk

Outdoor Learning

Play is such an important part of childhood and growth, but outdoor space is increasingly at a premium, particularly for schools that need to accommodate more classroom space. Carolyn Place, an expert in play area design, looks at recent developments, and highlights the importance of the ‘risk’

Learning beyond the Classroom

Outdoor Learning

A ‘can do’ culture that is supportive of learning outside the classroom can add the most value to enabling students to achieve well and thrive, says a recent Ofsted best practice report. Elaine Skates, deputy chief executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, explains how this can be achieved

Creating good citizens of the future

Outdoor Learning

Schools and academies up and down the country are raving about the positive effect the Duke of Edinburgh Award has on pupils and teachers alike

Eden Project - Taking education outdoors

Outdoor Learning

Having recently welcomed its 750,000th educational visitor, the Eden Project’s schools team is now embarking on a campaign to help outdoor learning become a central pillar of British education.