Further acknowledgement of the importance of having an Outdoor Learning Curriculum within Elmwood. Not Dead Fish, a social change consultancy and policy platform, have recently produced an article titled ‘Work on the Wild Side: Outdoor Learning in Schools’ which supports the curriculum offer at Elmwood School and the vision and direction of the staff and Senior Leadership Team. Outdoor Learning is not just a subject/topic, it’s a way of teaching – this is evident on the School’s recent Outdoor Learning themed INSET where all staff embarked on scything, turning flax into thread, flint napping and the impact the Stone Age had on the development of tools and equipment.
The project collaborated with 125 Schools/40,000 children making the recommendations valid for us as a School to consider and act upon to improve the life chances for all that attend Elmwood’s Learning Community. Ofsted have also begun to acknowledge through their reports of outstanding Primary and Secondary School providers the importance of Outdoor Learning in improving academic achievements and social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
The recommendations from the report were of particular interest to the Senior Leadership Team and Dan Whittaker (SLE for Outdoor Learning) as we can confidently “tick” all boxes:
Senior Leadership Team support the Outdoor Learning agenda √
Budget constraints don’t impact on the quality and provision around Outdoor Learning √
Outdoor Learning is part of the curriculum and is called “Out & About” √
Relationships with local community leaders to improve curriculum (at a low cost i.e. FREE) √
Please read the article and I’m sure you will support us in our constant drive for innovation and a curriculum offer that enhances the whole child. Work.on.the.Wild.Side.2017