Outdoor Learning The Natural Connections Demonstration Project 2012

Outdoor Learning The Natural Connections Demonstration Project 2012 -16 Funded by DEFRA, Natural England English Heritage Managed by Plymouth University 2018

‘’Ahh but is it learning? Education best takes place in a classroom, and being outside is nice and fun but it is not really learning, is it? ‘’ ‘’Does outdoor learning help all students? What about those do not thrive inside the classroom? ’’ ‘’Do teachers like going outside? ’’ ‘’Don’t the children just run around? ’’ ‘’Yes it sounds great but… my Head, the other teachers and the parents won’t like it!’’ ‘’You have had lots of money for your project – we haven’t got any money so it will not work here!’’

Natural Connections Demonstration Project • externally funded education project • managed by the Institute of Education, Plymouth University • the largest outdoor learning project in the UK • 125 schools = 40, 500 pupils, 4, 000 teaching staff • ages 5 – 16: Primary & Secondary schools • schools in 10 local government areas • high-profile project which has relevance to national and international partners ian. blackwell@plymouth. ac. uk

Objectives • to increase the demand from schools and teachers for outdoor learning in areas of socio-economic deprivation • to support schools to build outdoor learning into their school culture • to work with external outdoor learning services for schools and teachers Picture courtesy of Learning through Landscapes

The Natural Connections model OL team in each school Beacon School Central Team at Plymouth University 5 Hub Leaders Beacon School Cluster of schools Cluster of schools OL team in each school

What did we find…? estimate of minutes of OL per class per week The amount of outdoor learning went up 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 autumn term (n=114) spring term (n=115) baseline summer term (n=116) autumn term spring term summer term May 2015 activity survey (n=41)

The number of schools recognising the importance of outdoor learning increased… 89% 72% 75% 90% 85% positive staff attitude 80% 59% 75% 67% 70% school documents 65% 60% 55% Baseline 55% July 2015 school survey. CPD

We found that the barriers reduced or changed… 70% staff lack confidence in working outdoors 60% 50% staff uncertain of how to relate OL to curricular requirements 40% lack of funding 30% 20% need extra volunteers to support school staff when learning outside 10% lack of time 0% Baseline July 2015

The benefits of outdoor learning for children & their learning… 1% 1% 1% don't know negative impact 95% 94% 93% 92% 85% 57% 0% 0% 0% positive impact 0% 0% g g ills ure ons k t ein s nin s a s r b l l e a n l l a e f i f we go th l soc d i n nt o i n w e a nd m th ent sta j oy m r eal e e h g d a / un eng t n me no impact be io hav ur nt atta e inm

The impact on teachers & teaching… 1% 1% 1% don't know 79% 72% 69% 51% positive impact 0% 0% 0% negative impact teaching practice health and wellbeing professional development job satisfaction teaching performance

Benefits to schools… improves the student experience – they enjoy school more, are motivated & achieve more helps support a healthy, happy school experience it offers teachers new teaching spaces & styles, teachers say they enjoy teaching more children who may not thrive in the classroom, have opportunities to show what they are capable of outside parents recognise the benefits of outdoor learning improves school grounds for learning helps develop links with the wider community good PR for the school

Readiness to learn How well prepared are the children to learn…? 92% of pupils surveyed said that they enjoyed lessons outside a bit or a lot [n=448 primary]