Embedded Files
As schools and settings start to consider their outdoor learning experiences, they may encounter a number of perceived barriers or challenges. Research from the charity Thrive Outdoors suggests that the biggest concern for practitioners is not health and safety, but an issue of confidence. Schools who have embedded outdoor learning across the school note that the most important part of the journey is not giving up at the first hurdle.
In leading this change it is important to engage with the whole school community, listen to concerns and address issues as they arise.
- Healthy and safety concerns and risk assessment.
Considering health and safety is essential when planning any outdoor activities with children. Risk assessments need to be very carefully prepared and implemented. It is worth contacting the health and safety adviser in your Local Authority for advice if required.
There are risks in the outdoor learning environment, but it is important to see this as a valuable learning opportunity to introduce challenge and decision making about managing risks. Some staff will also need time and training to understand the risk assessment process before identifying the risks and making judgements about how these can be managed. Some providers of outdoor adventurous activities will have their own risk assessments and staff will need time to review these.
School and LA risk assessment processes must be followed; the LA will also be available to provide guidance to staff. Risk assessments should not be seen as barriers, they are part of the learning experience for all involved.
- Parental / carer concerns about learning or about time outdoors getting ‘cold and dirty’.
Let parents and carers know your plans. Providing them with information on the benefits of outdoor learning will help them understand how it benefits all learning. Providing reassurance and guidance on the safety of the learning experiences will reduce any concerns of parents and carers.
Invite them to be part of the process to see the learning and benefits. You could provide parents with a guide to outdoor learning.
- Weather concerns from both staff and parents.
As part of your risk assessment you will have identified weather hazards. Undoubtedly there will be days where it is simply too dangerous to take your learners outdoors. However, with parental support and the right clothing, outdoor learning can be achieved throughout the year. The worst weather often brings the best memories or the greatest sense of achievement.
There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
- School grounds and the suitability of outdoor spaces in their localities
Any outdoor space can be used. The school doesn’t need access to a woodland or a field. Outdoor learning experiences can be just as beneficial in the school yard. Make links with the local community council to see what other spaces may be available within the community. The local community may have businesses that can support any plans you have for creating learning spaces within your grounds.
- Learners’ behaviour in the outdoor environment
Learners will behave differently outside. Some may naturally be very comfortable in the outdoors environment and others may feel more anxious or excitable. Involve the learners in creating a set of clear ground rules and boundaries that need to be agreed upon. Allow the learners time to become familiar with the different learning environment.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”—Sir Winston Churchill.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”—Sir Winston Churchill.
- Staff confidence in leading the learning in the outdoor environment
Allow time for all your staff to become familiar with your plans for outdoor learning. You may not get everyone on board at the start of this journey, but by providing time and space for professional learning staff confidence will grow. Once staff start to see the positive changes in the learners they may become more confident to start planning their own outdoor learning experiences.
- Dirty children in muddy clothing
Think about how and where your learners will store their outdoor clothing and where they will be entering and exiting the building. Keep the school cleaning staff informed of your plans.
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