Outdoor Learning Statement 

At Carter’s Charity Primary School, we believe in teaching the ‘whole child’. We are increasingly aware of the benefits of spending time in an outdoor space for focusing the mind and having a positive influence on health and wellbeing. We are extremely fortunate to have access to a range of different outdoor spaces including our allotment, nature garden, field, ‘Wilderness’ area, and at the end of our field, Morecambe Bay! We strongly believe that outdoor learning enhances and enriches our children’s learning and school experience. 

Outdoor learning encourages pupils to acquire and refine knowledge and specific skills within a theme. Through our work as an Eco School children gain an awareness and a deeper understanding of their local environment as well as environmental issues in the wider world. Through freely exploring the nature garden and the beach in their Outdoor Learning sessions, children become confident, resilient and determined learners, in and out of the classroom. The use of practical activities and life experiences enable children to bring to life new ideas and concepts and give the curriculum real life meaning. Children develop greater imagination and creativity through regular exploration of the natural world as well as develop cooperation through teamwork. 

Outdoor learning sessions not only link to Outdoor skills, but also to Learning Objectives in all subjects, supporting our broad, balanced and engaging curriculum. We are currently part of a group of schools and educational professionals working on the Morecambe Bay Curriculum, an Eden Project based at Lancaster University. It is a community-curated, place-based approach to learning, entwining Morecambe Bay with the National Curriculum. This will help give our children the confidence, knowledge and empathy to be the innovators and change makers of the future.