Schools move from classroom to world of learning outdoors

Think outdoor learning is just fun in the forest? Think again. Proponents of outdoor education say it’s one of the most powerful developments in modern education – and it’s transforming the learning experience for our children.

“It’s not all bushcraft, dens and marshmallows,” says Colin Masterson, headteacher of Achiltibuie and Lochinver primary schools.

“When we’re out in the woods, on the beach, in the moors, we’re developing the curriculum and learning skills in a real-life context.”

Achiltibuie and Lochinver are nestled on the remote north-west coast of the Highlands. Achiltibuie is surrounded by moorland and close to the seaside, while Lochinver has Loch Culag on three sides and two community woodlands across the road. “These are really rural communities in spectacular locations so it makes sense to use the natural resources around us,” says Mr Masterton.

The schools have enjoyed a five-year partnership with Coigach and Assynt Living Landscapes, which delivers weekly forest schools.

Unfortunately, the funding for this project is coming to an end, but the organisation has awarded £2,000 to the schools to train their own woodland activity leaders.

It has embedded outdoor learning even deeper into the daily curriculum.

Within the school grounds, play equipment is replaced with planks of decking, poles, branches and milk crates for instance which quickly become a den, a stage or an obstacle course. Children learn teamwork and collaboration skills.

When the learning is taken out to the moors, the magic happens.

“Last year, one of the P7 boys at Achiltibuie found a badger sett, which is pretty rare on moorland,” adds Mr Masterton.

Further down the West Highland coast, cluster head teacher Natalie White has championed projects that help pupils to connect to their environment.

She leads Poolewe and Baulnaluib Primaries and Aultbea Nursery, and has fostered strong links with the local community.

One interesting project saw pupils interview their grandparents about childhood memories of the area. Another project is the development of “The Spinny”, a community wasteland near the school, which has taken ownership of the area and is meeting a local organisation to plan a toolshed and “hobbit hole” on site.

Thrumster Primary School in Caithness enjoys an enviable school environment complete with timber trail and multiuse games area, as well as access to the local Yarrows Archaeological Trust and wider estate.

Children spend much of their time outdoors, taking part in forest school activities and even archaeological digs.

Also in Caithness, Busy Bees nursery in the small village of Bower was on the verge of closure in 2019, with only two children attending.

While Highland Council offered to take the nursery under its management to make it more sustainable, an enterprising group of parents had other ideas.

That vision was to reinvent the nursery as one of Highland’s few outdoor early-years settings.

It’s been a remarkable success so far, with enrolment up from two in 2019 to 24 today.

Busy Bee nursery youngsters at Bower in Caithness, above, and Poolewe Primary pupils on a nature walk.