Outdoor Learning

We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from the School’s own 200 acre woodland ‘Old Park Woods’ which includes a secure outdoor learning classroom with its own yurt. Outdoor learning lessons begin in Reception and continue up until Year 6.  Quite apart from being in a beautiful, natural environment in which to our pupils can simply ‘be children’, our boys and girls benefit from experiencing hands-on learning which crosses over science, art, wellbeing and so many other parts of our curriculum. As pupils progress through to the upper years of the Prep School, they access our Wildcats area including outwards bound obstacle course, High Ropes course and climbing wall.

Outdoor learning lessons create a dynamic and inclusive environment that promotes the holistic development of our pupils. Through engaging outdoor activities, we aim to foster leadership skills, prioritise health and safety, and encourage cooperation among our pupils. By incorporating nature-based experiences, we seek to inspire curiosity, ignite creativity, and cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship. Together, we strive to create confident and well-rounded learners who are connected to the natural world and equipped with essential life skills. 

We offer a variety of residential trips for pupils in Years 4 to 6 promoting a growing sense of independence, leadership skills, team work and fostering close relationships within year groups. These trips allow pupils to experience bushcraft and outdoor skills in Year 4, water based activities in Year 5 and independence in organisational skills in Year 6. 

Co-curricular clubs include orienteering, woodland, climbing and wild cats adventures. These clubs offer pupils many opportunities to develop and enrich their knowledge and applications of the vital life skills learnt in their outdoor lessons.