Why Outdoor Learning?

Being outdoors and active is an essential part of growing up and leading a healthy and fulfilling life. Outdoor learning benefits children, young people and adults alike. It engages our hearts through what we feel, our heads through what we think, and our hands through our physical experiences.

Outdoor learning can take place anywhere from school grounds to local green spaces, high streets to national parks, from your front door to the rest of the world.

Outdoor learning experiences are often remembered for a lifetime. Integrating learning and outdoor experiences, whether through play in the immediate grounds or adventures further afield, provides relevance and depth to the curriculum in ways that are difficult to achieve indoors. Learning outdoors can be enjoyable, creative, challenging and adventurous and helps children and young people learn by experience and grow as confident and responsible citizens who value and appreciate the spectacular landscapes, natural heritage and culture of Scotland.  Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning 

We have a rich outdoor environment at Hazlehead.  The school grounds wrap around the school building with a Messy Garden on one end and a Grassy Hill at the other.  Classes have access to all areas of the grounds for play and learning experiences.  We also have a running track and playing fields adjacent to the school, and Hazlehead Park at the far end of the running track.

We work closely with local partners like Active Schools, Sport Aberdeen and organisations within the local area to ensure pupils can take their learning beyond the classroom.