During this academic year, all classes will be taking part in our new ‘Outdoor Learning’ curriculum. These Outdoor Learning sessions  will take place on Thursday and Friday mornings. We will be using the wooded area at the top of the playing field and the ‘secret garden’ in the first instance before hopefully heading out further afield.

 

Outdoor Learning started in Scandinavia and is a way of learning in a ‘woodland’ environment. It provides the space where people can develop socially, emotionally and physically through play, following individual and preferred learning styles. For more information, as an example of some of the activities we will be undertaking and the ethos behind it, please visit http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/.

 

At Hayton School, we will aim to nurture our children so that they can reach their full potential. We believe that it is vitally important to look at the whole child when considering their education, and we think the holistic experience they receive as a member of our Outdoor Learning will equip them with the skills to become confident in their own abilities - in the classroom, outdoors and beyond. Outdoor Learning gives children the time and space necessary to develop the tools and skills to become resilient, independent and inquisitive learners. Our core aim is to engage children in the natural environment and to have fun. As we all know, when children have a purpose to their learning and are fully engaged, they will achieve far more. In Hayton School, learning continues beyond the classroom.

 

As Outdoor Learning is an all-year round and all-weather activity, it is vitally important that the correct clothing is worn by children and adults alike. All children must be suitably clothed for all weather. Parents will need to provide their children with a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers or an all- in-one waterproof suit, wellington boots/walking boots or old trainers, (hat: woollen or sun) and gloves. It is also important that children are provided with any other equipment that is appropriate to the season. Even with all this personal protective equipment, it is possible that children can get their clothes wet or dirty therefore, in addition, they also need to be provided with a change of clothes (this should be their school uniform). On the day of their Outdoor Learning session, children should come dressed in their outdoor clothes, and change into their school uniform for the afternoon session.

 

This is an exciting development for us as a school, and we are looking forward to seeing how we can cultivate further as the year progresses. We hope our children will benefit from these sessions as part of us developing the whole child: academic, personal, social, emotional and beyond.

 

Autumn Term 1st Half				Autumn Term 2nd Half
Date	Day	Class		Date	Day	Class
12/09/2024	Thursday	Oak		07/11/2024	Thursday	Elm
13/09/2024	Friday	Maple		08/11/2024	Friday	Chestnut
19/09/2024	Thursday	Elm		14/11/2024	Thursday	Cherry
20/09/2024	Friday	Chestnut		15/11/2024	Friday	Little Acorns
26/09/2024	Thursday	Cherry		21/11/2024	Thursday	Oak
27/09/2024	Friday	Little Acorns		22/11/2024	Friday	Maple
03/10/2024	Thursday	Oak		28/11/2024	Thursday	Elm
04/10/2024	Friday	Maple		29/11/2024	Friday	Chestnut
10/10/2024	Thursday	Elm		05/12/2024	Thursday	Cherry
11/10/2024	Friday	Chestnut		06/12/2024	Friday	Little Acorns
17/10/2024	Thursday	Cherry		12/12/2024	Thursday	Oak
18/10/2024	Friday	Little Acorns		13/12/2024	Friday	Maple
24/10/2024	Thursday	Oak		19/12/2024	No Outdoor Learning
25/10/2024	Friday	Maple		20/12/2024	No Outdoor Learning