Penns Primary School

OUTDOOR LEARNING

Our grounds provide our children with plenty of space to run around at playtime and lunchtime, promoting exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Our playground is equipped with trim trails and playground markings to keep children active as well as the children having the opportunity to play crazy golf, use our outdoor sensory trail, bird watch or our outdoor gym.

We understand the importance of being outside and the positive effect it has on our mental health and wellbeing. We see our outdoor area as an extension of our classrooms and this provides our children with a wealth of learning opportunities such as exploring, experimenting, problem-solving and negotiating risk – which we know allows our students to become well-rounded individuals. Whether rain or shine, our children are encouraged to be outdoors, which is why we ensure that outdoor lessons go ahead whatever the weather (as much as is possible).

Our outdoor area includes: areas with raised beds for each class to grow fruit and vegetables, a wooded area which provides opportunities for den building and investigating minibeasts, a seated area for reading stories, a sandpit, an outdoor classroom promoting birdwatching, a sensory trail for all children, a pond, and reading huts for children to enjoy story time sessions in the great outdoors as well as our very own allotment.

We value outdoor learning highly at Penns and try to offer as many opportunities as possible for our children to take their learning outdoors as much as possible.