Outdoor Learning

At Ashfold, we are proud of our progressive and varied Outdoor Learning offering. With over 30 acres of beautiful grounds, including woodland, meadows and a lake, our Outdoor Learning programme offers pupils space to explore, discover and learn in nature. Whether building dens, investigating ecosystems or developing practical outdoor skills, our pupils are encouraged to be curious, creative and resilient, while making strong connections between their outdoor experiences and classroom learning.

Outdoor Learning is an integral part of life at Ashfold. Pupils in Pre-Prep and Juniors enjoy weekly sessions throughout the year, while our Senior pupils have the opportunity to take on outdoor challenges through field trips, excursions and activities such as Bushcraft, willow weaving and gardening. Pupils also play a hands-on role in developing new outdoor spaces, including a well-being garden, helping them take pride in and ownership of their environment.

Why Outdoor Learning Matters

• Creates scope for boosting a child’s engagement and curiosity.
• Provides opportunities for child-led investigations and cross-curricular learning.
• Builds increased confidence, independence and boosts self-esteem.
• Creates time and space to build resilience, determination and problem-solving skills.
• Managed opportunities for 'risky' play help reduce anxiety and encourages self-regulation to develop.
• Learning outside promotes the engagement of multiple sensory systems - resulting in a more highly stimulated brain. This creates stronger memories that helps retention and expansion of learning.

...all ultimately helping to build academic achievement.

Pre-Prep Forest School  

For our youngest pupils, Forest School is a weekly highlight. Led by a qualified Forest School practitioner, these sessions are built around pupil interests, encouraging imaginative play, creative exploration and hands-on learning.

Whether planting wildflowers, building habitats for insects, cooking on the campfire or role-playing life as a bee, children are encouraged to explore and make sense of the world around them.

Every activity is designed to:

• Encourage curiosity and creativity.
• Build cross-curricular connections with classroom learning.
• Nurture resilience, independence and self-confidence.
• Encourage age-appropriate risky play, helping children develop their own sense of risk management and emotional regulation.

 

Junior Outdoor Education  

As children progress into Forms 1 & 2, in the Prep School, their outdoor learning experiences evolve into a structured Outdoor Education programme each week. These sessions focus on supporting cross-curricular learning through activities designed to offer progressive levels of nature-based challenge.

From problem-solving challenges and nature investigations to team-based tasks and creative projects, pupils learn to think independently, take risks, experiment with new ideas, and collaborate effectively.

Our experienced Forest School and Outdoor Learning Practitioner works closely with other teaching staff to ensure activities offered draw on cross-curricular learning, allowing children to link ideas together and extend their abstract thinking skills. The programme also focuses on developing social and emotional intelligence, building self-awareness, resilience and a sense of environmental responsibility that we hope will stay with them for life.