Learning in the Great Outdoor Classroom

In an increasingly digital world, harvesting the benefits of outdoor learning has never been more important. Many independent schools are well-placed to reap significant rewards for their pupils from their idyllic locations. With its 28 acres of beautiful grounds, including one of England’s biggest private arboretums, Tockington Manor School and Nursery is a thriving example of how integrating outdoor education into the curriculum can significantly enrich the learning experience and have a lasting impact on pupils’ wellbeing.

It’s 7.30am in Tockington, just a few miles north of the city of Bristol. Wrapped up in their hats, scarves and gloves, the Year 5s at TMS are gathered in front of the Manor House on a crispy spring morning, conducting a traffic survey as part of an unusual Geography exercise. It’s an annual tradition as part of their curriculum and they embrace the opportunity for a different kind of lesson.

Later that morning, the Reception classes come out to inspect tadpoles in the large pond, an iconic feature of the school and a hive of activity as summer approaches. This pond area is ideal for wildlife investigations and introduces children to the concept of ecosystems, additionally being an important conversation starter around water conservation and protection. “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,” says Stephen Symonds, Headmaster at Tockington Manor School. “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, teaching them how to forage for food.

Outdoor Learning Throughout the School Years

Outdoor learning at Tockington Manor is so ingrained into the school’s ethos that Symonds jokes that Wellington boots are an essential part of the school uniform…  It’s a continuous journey that evolves as children progress through the school. From the early years in Nursery, where children are introduced to ‘welly walks’ and creative play in specially designed outdoor spaces, to the Upper School, where scientific investigations and ecological surveys become part of the curriculum, the outdoor environment plays a crucial role in the educational experience. At Tockington, outdoor learning is not just an occasional activity but a fundamental aspect of the school’s approach to education, which fosters a love and respect for the environment among pupils.

Nature walks for the Nursery will include outings to enjoy the woodlands and farmlands surrounding the school, learning about the environment and animals first-hand. In the Lower School, gardening clubs and outdoor projects encourage children to take ownership of their learning, whether they’re planting sunflowers, studying soil composition, or crafting wooden items from materials found on the grounds. By the time students reach the Upper School, their outdoor education involves more complex scientific inquiries, such as studying soil composition, measuring plant growth, or conducting ecological surveys. These practical experiences enable children to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, enhancing their understanding and critical thinking skills.

Exploring Nature and Beyond

The wide-open spaces offered by many countryside schools lend themselves to child-led, independent learning, whether that be about nature itself or science or PHSE. Outdoor learning also presents wonderful opportunities for creativity – TMS pupils enjoy activities such as creating fairy doors from wood, making tree art or using recycling materials for good.

It’s important that schools continuously evolve their outdoor learning facilities to meet the needs of students. Since its establishment in 1947, Tockington has made use of its ten-acre arboretum as a dynamic, living classroom, providing hands-on experiences that foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for nature. Here, children learn forest skills, study the inhabitants of the forest, and participate in structured Forest School sessions led by qualified leaders. Recently, the school introduced woodwork and tree-climbing activities into its forest school program, further enhancing children’s confidence, resilience, and practical skills.

The school’s ornithology club and bird-watching activities further extend the learning opportunities available in the outdoor environment. Recently installed bird boxes with internal cameras allow students to observe nesting behaviors up close, offering a fascinating glimpse into the life of birds and the natural world around them. This year a Great Tit family made its nest in one of the boxes and children were able to watch a livestream of the eggs hatching one by one and then each of the little chicks flying the nest just a short while later. 

Cultivating a Love for Gardening

Gardening is another integral part of outdoor education at Tockington Manor. The school’s established kitchen garden is a space where children can try their hand at growing fruits and vegetables. This hands-on experience teaches them about the field-to-fork process, the importance of sustainable practices, and the patience required to see a plant grow from seed to harvest. “They really take ownership of this process,” says Symonds. “It is a wonderful way to encourage maturity and independence. They must tend the beds, monitor progress, pull weeds – and at the end they are rewarded with a healthy harvest – a wonderful life lesson provided by nature.” The pride children feel when they bring home their grown produce or see it served in the school’s kitchen is immeasurable. Such activities also tie into lessons on healthy eating and nutrition.

Just like grownups, pupils enjoy the mental and emotional benefits of 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, or something they can eat.

Reaping the benefits

The mental and emotional benefits of outdoor learning are far-reaching. Educating in the great outdoors supports the development of important life skills. As children engage with their environment, they learn to solve problems, take risks safely, and communicate effectively with their peers. At Tockington, staff have noticed how 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!

A Lifelong Love of Nature

Independent schools have a tremendous opportunity to create a lifelong love of nature in their pupils by using the classroom on their doorstep. At TMS we offer an immersive environment where students can explore, learn, and grow, connecting with nature in new and exciting ways. “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!” says Symonds. “Tockington Manor children have a love of learning and the outdoors that could only come from the amount of time they spend in it!”  

By integrating nature into every aspect of learning, schools can not only enhance academic achievement but also promote physical and mental well-being, environmental stewardship, and a deep, lasting appreciation for the natural world. As the hungry 13-year-olds in Year 8 tuck into a potato salad at lunch, they might think about the fun they had digging up those potatoes from the kitchen garden just the day before. What they won’t realise is just how much of their education is coming from the nature on their doorstep.

Share!