Enrichment Benchmarks - Outdoor Learning Partnerships

Looking to improve your school's enrichment offer based on the enrichment framework for schools and colleges? We can help!

Our outdoor learning partnerships ensure that every child in your school receives regular access to nature and the outdoors, boosting wellbeing, promoting personal development and providing exciting cross-curricular learning opportunities.

NatureLab Outdoor Learning

Let us plan and deliver outdoor learning for your pupils, from one off workshops to ongoing partnerships, all delivered by a qualified primary school teacher and available across the North West.

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1) A strategically aligned enrichment offer

Here are three examples of how we can meet your school’s strategic priorities. For more details on the benefits of our outdoor learning programmes and how we can work together to maximise these, please get in touch.

Personal development

Regular outdoor learning has been proven to develop interpersonal skills in primary school pupils, including teamwork, communication and leadership.

In the first three weeks of learning, year 5 will:

• Use a map to navigate and complete orienteering challenges – developing communication and teamwork skills by working in small groups, discussing their answers, working towards a common goal and ensuring that they don’t leave anyone behind

• Tie common knots and construct mini rafts – developing resilience to keep trying when they find a knot difficult and keep improving their knots if their raft is not sturdy

• Collect and survey minibeasts – working as a team to use survey methods such as leaf litter sieving and beating. Taking on new challenges if they are not initially confident around bugs

Careers guidance

Through the learning activities in my sessions, pupils will gain practical experience and knowledge linked to a variety of careers. In the first half term for instance, pupils in a 4 class school will discover:

• Conservationists and countryside rangers – EYFS bug hotels, EYFS animal dens and nests

• Ecologists – minibeast survey methods, KS1 plant surveys, LKS2 tree ID and measurements

• Artists and sculptors– EYFS tree rubbings, KS1 woodland wands and self-portraits, LKS2 nature mobiles and mandalas

• Musicians – EYFS outdoor music and natural shakers

• Scientists – UKS2 using microscopes and preparing microscope slides

• Mountain leaders and tour leaders – KS1 map skills and symbols, UKS2 map reading and orienteering

• Bushcraft and outdoor activity instructors – KS1 water filtration, KS2 shelter building, UKS2 knot tying and mini rafts, UKS2 principles of survival

Curriculum

I work with teachers to maximise cross curricular links, including science, PE (outdoor adventurous activities), maths, geography and art.

For instance in the first three weeks of learning, year 3 may:

Identify trees from their parts, and measure their age and height:

• Yr3 maths (measurement): measure, compare, add and subtract: lengths (m/cm/mm)

• Yr3 science (plants): identify and describe the functions of different parts of flowering plants: roots, stem/trunk, leaves and flowers

Take part in sensory challenges and guide a partner using directional language:

• KS2 PE: take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team

• Hidden curriculum: development of communication and leadership skills

Create nature mobiles and mandalas using natural materials:

• KS2 art: to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials

For more information on the benefits of our outdoor learning programmes on behaviour, wellbeing, physical activity and more, visit https://www.nature-lab.co.uk/post/benefits-of-outdoor-learning-in-primary-schools

2) A broad and well-rounded enrichment offer

The enrichment framework splits enrichment activities into five broad categories. Our outdoor learning sessions fit perfectly into the nature, outdoors and adventure category.

We provide pupils with a wide range of activities designed to foster connection with the natural world and include outdoor exploration in every session. Our sessions take place within the school day (in lesson time and at lunchtimes) allowing every child to access nature on a regular basis.

Through spending time in nature, we foster wellbeing and provide an environment where pupils who may find classroom learning challenging, can thrive.

3) A well-communicated enrichment offer that celebrates participation and achievement

We make sure that parents and teachers are well informed about their children’s learning, by providing kit lists and activity overviews for our sessions. We also communicate with teachers to incorporate cross curricular learning and update them on the progress of their class.

Every child is able to achieve in our sessions, whatever that may look like for them. We recognise success far beyond meeting the objectives in the national curriculum, whether this is a shy pupil standing up for the first time and explaining the features of her group's den to the class, or the moment of pride when a child discovers the solution to a tricky problem and leads their group to success.

NatureLab Outdoor Learning

Let us plan and deliver outdoor learning for your pupils, from one off workshops to ongoing partnerships, all delivered by a qualified primary school teacher and available across the North West.

Learn More

4) An enrichment offer shaped by the school or college community

As well as my teaching qualifications, I have...

• Worked as a field studies and outdoor activity instructor

• Worked in conservation in South Africa

• A degree in animal behaviour and training

• A passion for birdwatching and all things nature!

Through all of this, I have developed a subject specialism in nature and outdoor education. If this is an area that your staff are less experienced in, I can broaden your enrichment offer through my knowledge and experience. Through my sessions, I thrive to give children a range of new experiences and broaden their horizons.

My outdoor learning sessions take place

during timetabled lesson times and at lunchtime, freeing up time and taking the pressure of your teaching staff.

5) An accessible and engaging enrichment offer

My offer is universal – no one misses out.

Through full class sessions adapted to accommodate pupils with SEND wherever needed, I ensure that every pupil is able to access your enrichment offer. Timetabling enrichment into your school day ensures that disadvantaged pupils and those with barriers preventing them from taking part in after school activities, can also take part.

6) An enrichment offer that works in partnership

Let me do all the planning, resourcing, delivery and evaluation for you!

By working in partnership with external providers such as myself, you can be confident that providing engaging, hands on enrichment for your pupils is not adding to you or your staff's workload.

I take care of every stage of the process, providing you with everything you need to be confident in entrusting your pupils to me, including risk assessments, insurance and DBS checks.

I greatly value feedback and am always looking to improve my services, so I am keen to get feedback from schools I work with, whether in person or using my feedback form.

How can I best help you? Please get in touch by emailing info@nature-lab.co.uk or filling in the contact form on our website, to arrange a no obligation discussion in person or over video call.

NatureLab Outdoor Learning

Let us plan and deliver outdoor learning for your pupils, from one off workshops to ongoing partnerships, all delivered by a qualified primary school teacher and available across the North West.

Learn More