At Askwith Primary School, our Outdoor Learning is a carefully planned and progressive curriculum that enables every child to become a confident learner, resilient individual and responsible citizen. Forest School is not an isolated enrichment activity. It is deliberately woven into our wider curriculum, providing meaningful opportunities for pupils to apply and deepen their learning in science, geography, art and PSHE through authentic outdoor experiences.
Our Outdoor Learning curriculum has been designed around the belief that children learn best when they are curious, engaged and challenged within real-world contexts. Through regular experiences in our outdoor environment, pupils develop knowledge, skills and understanding whilst also building the personal characteristics that enable them to flourish academically and socially.
The curriculum is built around three golden threads which run from EYFS to Year 6:
🔬 Scientific Enquiry
Children progress from observing and exploring the natural world in EYFS to designing investigations, analysing evidence and evaluating environmental issues by Year 6.
🌱 Environmental Stewardship
Children develop a deep connection with nature and learn the importance of caring for their environment. They progress from caring for plants and wildlife to undertaking conservation projects and leading environmental action.
🧭 Outdoor Leadership
Children develop increasing independence, responsibility and leadership. They progress from following routines and boundaries to mentoring younger pupils and leading outdoor learning experiences.
Together, these threads create a distinctive curriculum journey from:
Observer → Explorer → Investigator → Conservationist → Leader
Curriculum Connections
Forest School has been carefully mapped to our wider curriculum to strengthen knowledge acquisition and provide meaningful opportunities for application.
Science
Pupils develop disciplinary scientific knowledge through first-hand experiences including:
- Seasonal change
- Plants and growth
- Habitats and biodiversity
- Food chains and ecosystems
- Adaptation and evolution
- Earth and space
- Environmental change
Children engage in observation, classification, measurement, recording, investigation and evaluation, ensuring that working scientifically skills are continually revisited and strengthened.
Geography
Forest School provides an authentic context for pupils to develop:
- Fieldwork skills
- Mapping skills
- Understanding of human and physical features
- Environmental awareness
- Sustainability and conservation
- Weather and climate understanding
Children learn to understand their place within local, national and global environments.
Art and Creativity
Natural materials provide inspiration for:
- Sculpture
- Land art
- Transient art
- Pattern and texture studies
- Natural design processes
Children learn to observe closely, experiment creatively and evaluate their artistic responses to the environment.
PSHE
Forest School is a key vehicle for delivering our PSHE curriculum. Through collaborative challenges, problem solving and outdoor exploration, pupils develop:
- Self-awareness
- Emotional regulation
- Positive relationships
- Respect and empathy
- Responsible decision making
- Personal safety
- Community participation
The outdoor environment provides authentic opportunities for children to practise these skills in meaningful contexts.
Personal Development
Forest School plays a significant role in the development of the whole child.
Resilience
Children are encouraged to embrace challenge, persevere through difficulty and learn from mistakes.
Examples include:
- Shelter building
- Species surveys
- Navigation activities
- Problem-solving tasks
- Conservation projects
Pupils learn that success often requires persistence and adaptation, helping to develop a growth mindset.
Confidence
As children move through the school, they are increasingly encouraged to:
- Take responsibility
- Work independently
- Share ideas
- Lead activities
- Present their findings
Every child is given opportunities to experience success, helping them develop self-belief and confidence in their own abilities.
Mental Wellbeing
Access to nature is central to our commitment to supporting children's wellbeing.
Forest School provides:
- Opportunities for reflection
- Time for calm and mindfulness
- Sensory exploration
- Positive social interaction
- Outdoor physical activity
Children develop a sense of belonging, connection and emotional security through regular contact with the natural world.
Communication and Relationships
Forest School provides rich opportunities for children to:
- Work collaboratively
- Negotiate and compromise
- Solve problems together
- Listen to others
- Respect differing viewpoints
These experiences strengthen communication skills and positive relationships throughout the school community.
Inclusion
We believe every child should experience success within Forest School.
Our curriculum is designed to be:
- Accessible
- Adaptive
- Inclusive
- Ambitious for all learners
Practical and outdoor learning opportunities often enable pupils to demonstrate knowledge and skills in ways that may not be possible within a classroom environment.
Through multi-sensory experiences, collaborative learning and flexible approaches to recording and assessment, all pupils are supported to achieve highly.
Environmental Stewardship and Legacy
A distinctive feature of our Forest School curriculum is the emphasis on environmental responsibility.
Children do not simply learn about the natural world; they actively contribute to it.
Stewardship Journey
EYFS
- Forest Promise
- Caring for growing areas
Year 1
- Bird feeding projects
Year 2
- Bug hotel construction
Year 3
- Biodiversity surveys
Year 4
- Woodland monitoring
Year 5
- Habitat improvement projects
Year 6
- Conservation leadership and mentoring
By the end of Year 6, pupils understand that they have both a responsibility and the power to make a positive difference to their environment.
Impact
By the time pupils leave our school, they will have developed into environmentally aware, confident and resilient young people who:
- Think scientifically
- Act responsibly
- Lead with confidence
- Work collaboratively
- Show respect for themselves, others and the environment
- Demonstrate strong emotional wellbeing
- Understand their role within a wider community
Through our carefully sequenced curriculum and its golden threads of Scientific Enquiry, Environmental Stewardship and Outdoor Leadership, Forest School becomes far more than an outdoor learning experience.
It is a transformative curriculum that develops knowledgeable learners, responsible citizens and confident leaders, ensuring that every child leaves our school with the skills, character and understanding to thrive in the next stage of their education and beyond.