SherbrookLearning Outside the Classroom
How it works at Sherbrook
Children at Sherbrook like to learn outside. It enhances their wellbeing, encourages them to be more active and helps them to develop a love of the natural world. All children should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of their learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.
‘A positive view of the world and high motivation are the keys to positive behaviour. A young person who is not motivated is unlikely to concentrate and learn effectively. Research evidence shows that learning outside the classroom can have a powerfully motivating effect on young people and a beneficial impact on behaviour.’ CLOtC Website.
Sherbrook has the Gold award for learning outside. Sherbrook Primary School has a teacher responsible for developing Learning Outside the Classroom. Two staff are Forest School level 3 practitioners. The lead teacher for learning outside the classroom delivers learning outside/forest school sessions two days a week. The L3 forest school teaching assistant delivers learning outside/forest school sessions one day a week. These 3 days enable the whole school to experience learning outside/forest schools throughout the whole year. It also enables all other staff in the school to develop their skills taking the children outside of the classroom with the continuing CPD this provides. Other staff are able to observe activities and develop their own teaching techniques in an outdoor setting.
Teachers are encouraged to use the outdoors to enhance their teaching as much as possible. To enrich topics in each key stage children take part in offsite visits to places such as museums, theatres, Cannock Chase, Weston Park, Boingzone, Nature reserves, and Chase water. We also take part in whole school visits to Drayton Manor Park, Water world and The Prince of Wales Theatre.
For more information about LOtC Mark, please visit http://www.lotc.org.uk/lotc-accreditations/lotc-mark/
LOTC - Outdoor Learning Areas
