Learning Outside The Classroom
Learning Outside The Classroom
Educational visits and learning outside the classroom are an integral part of life at Dovecotes Primary School. We believe that all children have the right to experience the unique and special nature of being outdoors and that it must be part of our broad and balanced curriculum so that children have first-hand experiences and the opportunity to take part in activities outside the classroom.
(Source: Learning Outside the Classroom)
Here at Dovecotes Primary School, we offer a curriculum which is balanced and based on promoting the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils, preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. A challenging and stimulating curriculum encourages our children to learn and think independently and ours is designed to enable each child to reach their full potential. Learning is fun and meaningful and learning outdoors, within our school grounds and the local area, broadens and deepens our children’s experiences further.
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Beyond the classroom, our children take part in a wide range of enrichment activities including Science and Nature, Computing, Sports, Arts (including Music), Technology and Maths.
Outdoor Learning
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At Dovecotes Primary School we are committed to promoting learning outside the classroom across all areas of the curriculum. The children have access to several stimulating outdoor environments that can be used for a variety of different activities.
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·KS1 Playground with a trim trail, house, benches and playground markings.
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KS2 Playground with benches and playground markings
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A large field
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A small wooded area
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A small meadow area
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Several courtyards that are used for different activities such as sensory areas and growing areas.
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We believe that learning outdoors is an essential part to unlocking a child’s potential as it makes the learning more real and they can access it in a different context. We strive to ensure that our outdoor environments are all dynamic, flexible, and versatile places to be. Learning outside at Dovecotes Primary School offers the perfect companion to the provision indoors, providing a complimentary environment that enhances and extends the traditional curriculum
Wild Tribe
Here at Dovecotes, we are privileged to have access to several outdoor spaces that include our copse area. Our ‘Wild Tribe’ sessions allow our children time and space to develop skills, interests and understanding through the practical hands-on experiences to explore these areas around school. Wild Tribe has been developed based on the principles of Forest School but links much more to the National Curriculum.
We aim to enable and develop each individual child according to their needs, addressing educational, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of learning. We teach skills and develop confidence in an enjoyable and relaxed way. The outdoor learning sessions develop independence through peer learning, with adults providing support and facilitating activities. We aim to encourage the children to take on new challenges, take risks and persevere when things get tricky!
Each class will be accessing our Wild Tribe activities, either within their PE lessons or as a full morning session during the year. They spend their sessions outside whatever the weather, exploring different tools and finishing off with a campfire and eating toasted marshmallows!
There is also the opportunity to take part in the Wild Tribe after school club that is run throughout the year, which is open to all year groups from reception to year 6.