Outdoor Learning
Whether at one of our Outdoor Learning sites, in a public green space, or on school grounds, we believe in realising more with the outdoors.
We know that Outdoor Learning supports personal growth, learning engagement and a sense of belonging in children and young people. We work with schools, partners and organisations that support children and young people to help sow these seeds throughout childhood and beyond.
Why is Outdoor Learning important to us?
The land is for all of us. But not everyone is starting from the same place on their journey, so we want to make it as accessible and inclusive as possible for everyone to explore the outdoors. Our work aims to identify and reduce or remove barriers, and build ecosystems of support around young people, their schools and communities. Through long-term support we believe we can make an even greater impact and help cultivate a truly life-long love of learning.
Outdoor learning with schools
We aim to grow long-term relationships with schools, helping outdoor learning take root in their curriculum and community. Our support is thoughtfully designed for each school, based on conversations with staff and an understanding of the needs of their students.
When tailoring our outdoor learning programmes, we aim to achieve two things:
- To increase schools’ ability to deliver the curriculum through outdoor learning
- To support delivery for schools and students in greatest need
Based on this, we have three offers:
On our land. Enriching Education
Exploring all the richness our land has to offer – woodlands, farms, rivers and other natural landscapes. This programme is led by one of our experienced Outdoor Learning Leaders at one of our sites, and may either be your first tentative steps into outdoor learning, or it may grow and support your existing programme. Either way, it will mean more time outdoors!
Depending on schools’ eligibility, we may be able to use our sessions to support young people’s wellbeing and embed outdoor learning across the curriculum. Or we may focus on practical fieldwork and geographical or ecological skills, to develop knowledge of habitats and help young people learn about how landscapes and nature can be protected and managed.
On our land. Thriving Outdoors
Awaiting wording for this section from Liz and Alice.
On your land. Foundations for Outdoor Learning
We all have the outdoors on our doorstep – and this programme offers long-term support to help schools unearth the possibilities all around us. This might mean teacher CPD, mentoring, and advice on how to make the most of your school grounds. It could include supported visits to local green spaces and our own Outdoor Learning sites. What it definitely needs is whole-school buy-in and support from the school’s leadership to really embed Outdoor Learning into your curriculum and practice. We will design the programme that bests suits you and help your students and your school realise more with the outdoors.
Other Outdoor Learning opportunities
Learning on and from the land looks different for all of us – so if our Outdoor Learning programmes aren’t right for you, see if one of our other opportunities could help.
Outdoor Learning in Lancashire
We have strong partnerships with many organisations across Lancashire, working in collaboration on projects that enable children and young people to experience Outdoor Learning through a range of activities. From farm visits to tree planting, activities in urban green spaces and beyond.
Grants and funding
From multi-year schemes to support Outdoor Learning Leaders, to smaller amounts that get everyone a pair of wellies and a waterproof, you might find the support you need from one of our grants.
New opportunities
We regularly review how we leverage our unique position as a landowning education charity to best serve young people. Watch this space for news of our latest Outdoor Learning opportunities.
The OWL Collaboration
One of our most impactful programmes, the change that can be seen in a few days of immersive Outdoor Learning is extraordinary. Read more about the stories coming out of The OWL Collaboration.
I would say to teachers, just get outdoors and do stuff like this with your students to get to know them more!
School child