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A recent report at the University of Plymouth has highlighted the positive effect outdoor learning can have on a child’s development and the need to formally include it in the Curriculum – and many local education specialists agree.
Anne Sweeney, Headmistress at Coworth Flexlands School & Nursery, praises the benefits of learning in nature. She says: “Children of all ages can flourish in the freedom of outdoors and it is very easy to support classroom teaching with outdoor discovery and experiments through creating the right environment. We are blessed that Coworth Flexlands has 13 acres of grounds that encompass not only sports fields and hard courts but open spaces and woodland areas for our Forest School and other activities.”
The school has two trained Forest School Practitioners and Mrs Sweeney believes the Forest school ethos benefits all children. She explains: “The enhanced learning and independent thinking in every age group is evident from the pupil’s wonderful creations all constructed from natural materials, to the more permanent, carefully assembled bug hotel, almost as tall as our little people, built in our magical small woodland adjacent to the Nursery. Each Thursday all our classes go out on rotation to explore the meadow and woodlands on our estate, no matter what the weather.”
The school plans to build a bespoke outdoor classroom, which children can use to further enhance their learning experience that being in nature provides.
Visitors are welcome to see how outdoor exploration and classroom teaching outside helps to develop thinking skills and more independent learners. The school’s Open Morning is on Thursday 20 October, 9.30 to 11am or call the school on 01276 855707 for a private tour. Please see www.coworthflexlands.co.uk; @CoworthFlexSch
Anne Sweeeny, Headmistress
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Further information can be found at Coworth Flexlands School Open Days or please call the School on 01276 855707. The School is located near Valley End, 5 minutes drive from Sunningdale.
