At Hamstel Infant School and Nursery, we recognise the vital role that outdoor learning plays in supporting children's wellbeing, development and engagement. Situated within a diverse community, we make it one of our priorities that our children have access to natural environments and opportunities to explore the outdoors beyond their immediate surroundings. We believe it is our responsibility to provide rich, meaningful and inclusive experiences that connect children with nature and the wider world.

 

Through our Outdoor Learning Programme and adopting elements of the Forest School approach, we aim to ensure that every child has regular opportunities to learn, explore and thrive in natural environments. We understand that the outdoors offers a unique context for learning, enabling children of all ages and abilities to develop confidence, resilience, curiosity and independence through first-hand experiences.

 

By fostering a sense of belonging, responsibility and respect for the natural world, we seek to inspire children to become environmentally aware citizens who value and care for the world around them. Through carefully planned opportunities for exploration, discovery and managed risk-taking, we nurture a lifelong appreciation of nature and the many benefits that outdoor learning can provide.

 

To ensure that all children benefit from regular, meaningful outdoor experiences, every child from Nursery to Year 2 participates in a full day of outdoor learning within our Wildlife Area every three weeks. To enrich these experiences further, we have developed a bespoke, progressive Outdoor Learning Programme that builds children's knowledge, skills and confidence as they move through the school.

 

A key element of this programme is our ‘50 Things to Do before the End of KS1’ initiative, which identifies a range of memorable outdoor experiences that we believe every child should encounter before leaving Hamstel Infant School and Nursery. These experiences are designed to inspire curiosity, foster a connection with nature and create lasting memories.

 

Our Outdoor Learning Programme is led by Mrs Shine, whose passion for the environment and commitment to providing enriching outdoor experiences helps ensure that all children have opportunities to learn, explore and thrive beyond the classroom.