As an educator, developing lesson plans that continue to inspire and grab the attention of a class full of children with different learning styles can be difficult at times. Thankfully, the autumn months create the perfect backdrop to take the classroom outside, allowing pupils wider opportunities to learn, develop and get out into nature.
What is outdoor learning?
Just as it sounds, outdoor learning refers to educational activities that take place outside of the classroom and outdoors. Generally, it involves pupils using the natural environment to learn with, and can often have a physical activity component.
The curriculum benefits of learning outside in autumn
Whilst outdoor learning has many benefits for pupils including increased emotional wellbeing, increased physical activity and building an appreciation of nature, it also has educational benefits. With a bit of creativity and planning, learning outdoors in autumn can align with the curriculum: The environment and sciences The autumn months and being outside naturally lends itself to exploring science and the environment. In the south east of England, there is a diverse range of natural environments for pupils to explore, including woodland, the coast and rivers all likely to be just a short coach journey away from your school, aligning with the geography curriculum. Examining seasonal changes such as the colour of leaves, animal behaviour and the life cycle of plants all allow pupils the opportunity to better understand parts of the science curriculum.
Mathematics
Getting outside at any time of year can support pupils in applying key math skills to real life situations. For younger pupils, getting outside gives the opportunity to count falling leaves, conkers can be used for simple equations and patterns can be found within the nature around you. Whilst older pupils can calculate the circumference of trees, estimate quantities of fallen seeds within an area or calculate the total area of a forest.
English and literacy
Incorporating the outdoors in autumn to the English curriculum is where you can really get creative. Crunchy leaves and raindrops in puddles can support understanding of onomatopoeia, pupils can write a creative poem about what they see, and asking them to describe what they can smell and hear whilst outside can help to develop vocabulary and language skills. For more ideas, the Learning Through Landscapes website provides over 150 ideas of activities and outdoor lesson ideas that align with the curriculum.
Alice Holt Forest
Outdoor classrooms in the south east
Whilst depending on the location of your school, there may be opportunities for outdoor learning immediately outside the school gates, it is likely that you will need to travel further afield. Thankfully, in the south east there are a huge number of locations that are perfect for outdoor learning. Here are a few ideas:
Alice Holt Forest
Forestry England has a selection of forest locations across the south east, each being the perfect outdoor classroom to host a lesson on any subject. Alice Holt Forest, based on the Hampshire/Surrey border, provides visitors from schools the opportunity to utilise their ranger in a bag resource to help align your outdoor school trip with the curriculum.
The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden
For an art lesson with a difference, a visit to The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden in Dorking allows school groups to experience contemporary art in a unique location. The Garden showcases around 200 pieces of art in various styles, and is set amongst a lush garden. As school visits are welcome until late October, pupils can experience the beautiful changing colours of the season whilst appreciating the art.
Butser Ancient Farm
Allow pupils to explore the past with a hands-on school trip to Butser Ancient Farm, which covers key aspects of the history curriculum including the Romans, Stone-age to Iron-age and Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. School visits allow pupils to take part in four workshops that can cover a certain key historical time, or you can choose a selection that best suits your class and desired outputs. All workshops can be adapted to the age of the pupils attending to ensure they are as relevant as possible. The museum mostly being open-air means that autumn is ideal weather to visit.
Butser Ancient Farm
Booking coach hire for outdoor learning
If you’re planning on travelling further afield for your outdoor learning sessions, you’ll need to decide how to get there. Travelling by coach for school trips is often the easiest and most cost effective way of ensuring all pupils arrive at the right place at the right time. At Horseman Coaches we have over 40 years’ experience in safely transporting school groups to destinations across the south east. Our fleet of coaches are modern and comfortable, and our drivers are professional, arrive on-time and DBS checked. Visit our School Trips page to learn more and request a quote for transport for your next outdoor learning visit.