Embracing the Outdoors

Our School and Nursery have a strong ethos of learning outdoors. Set on 28 acres of countryside in South Gloucestershire this is the perfect setting for children to explore and grow in the great outdoors – whatever the weather! With green space as our backdrop, we are able to put fresh air at the heart of every day, utilising our surroundings to inspire learning and encourage a love of nature – and respect for it!

Wellington boots are an essential part of our school uniform. Even in our Nursery, children as young as two go for welly walks to gain hands-on experience outside their classrooms. Wide open spaces lend themselves to child-led independent learning, whether that is about nature itself, or science or PHSE. Outdoor learning also presents wonderful opportunities for creativity – our pupils enjoy activities such as creating fairy doors from wood, making tree art or using recycling materials for good. Our green spaces allow the children to explore different species, observe seasonal changes, and learn about the importance of biodiversity and conservation.

Forest School

Wildlife Investigations

The large pond in front of the Manor House is an iconic feature of the school and is a hive of activity as summer approaches. Last year our Moor Hens had chicks for the first time in ten years and there was much excitement among staff and pupils alike! This provided a fantastic teaching opportunity as the children observed the nurturing behaviors of the chicks’ parents as they teach them how to forage for food. This pond area is ideal for wildlife investigations and introduces children to the concept of ecosystems – they see our tadpoles turn into frogs and witness the many birds, insects and other animals which call it home. It is a pleasure to see the delight on children’s faces as they discover new things in and around the pond area throughout the year. It’s also an important conversation starter around water conservation and protection.

Kitchen Garden

Our established kitchen garden allows the children to try their hand at growing fruit and vegetables. They really take ownership of this and it is a wonderful way, again, to encourage maturity and independence. They must tend the beds, monitor progress, pull weeds – and at the end they are rewarded with a wonderful harvest. Last year a haul including potatoes, squash, strawberries and beans, amongst other items was passed on to our kitchen to be included in delicious and nutritious school lunches. Nursery has its own kitchen garden which the younger children tend themselves to grow flowers and vegetables.

Mental Health Benefits

The benefits of learning outdoors are immeasurable. Learning in the outdoors, with the right guidance, can stimulate problem-solving skills, encourage safe risk-taking and give children a space to converse and engage with each other and staff freely, whilst being productive.  Shy children become more outgoing when out of the confines of a traditional classroom. SEND pupils and those who may struggle academically feel a sense of achievement when they are able to do what their peers do in the outdoors – and sometimes even better! Just like grownups, pupils enjoy the mental and emotional benefits from working in the garden – be that the therapy of digging enthusiastically, the creative release of laying paths or the sense of achievement and reward that comes from seeing what they’ve planted grow into beautiful beds and features. The best way to see how Outdoor Learning benefits our children is to visit us. We do hold Open Days twice a year but our school is always open for Private Tours in term time. Visit our Admissions page to find out more.

Outdoor Spaces

There are a myriad of outdoor spaces and areas for the children to explore and learn in:

• our ten-acre arboretum is one of the largest privately owned in England and is a living classroom, providing hands-on experiences that fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature. Here the children learn forest skills and all about the inhabitants of the forest
• pond areas ideal for wildlife investigations
• a bird hide that’s a popular haunt for our budding ornithologists
• a woodland adventure playground
• our established kitchen garden and beautifully maintained flowerbeds allow the children to learn about the environment and try their hand at growing plants and vegetables.
• surrounded by farmland, pupils can see cows and sheep first-hand on nursery welly walks, cross-country running and school nature hikes.

The best way to see how Outdoor Learning benefits our children is to visit us. We do hold Open Days twice a year but our school is always open for Private Tours in term time. Visit our Admissions page to find out more.