Effective Outdoor Learning

Course introduction

This course covers everything you need to know about using outdoor learning to cover curriculum content. The day will look at implementing ideas on how to teach concepts and skills across all subject areas as well as how to use the outdoors to test understanding and skills in real life situations. Time will be given to discuss ways to use the outdoors for inspiration and creativity as well as tips to make your outdoor learning meaningful and impactful.

The course will provide an opportunity to look at your school grounds and local learning area and identify how you can use it to teach all aspects of the curriculum.

What we will cover throughout the day

• Implement ways to fully integrate outdoor learning;

• Look at ways to make the best use of school grounds and local learning areas;

• Unpick how to bring the curriculum to life in the outdoor setting;

• Understand how to plan, organise and assess learning;

• Gain confidence in using the outdoors to support learning;

• Develop and practice literacy, numeracy and other skills outdoors;

• Leave will practical tools, techniques, resources and ideas.

Target audience

Primary and Secondary STEM, geography, eco, health and wellbeing.

Trainers for this course

Dawn Thomas

Dawn has over 20 years’ experience of teacher training in outdoor learning and has developed resources for outdoor learning for NRW, The National Trust, local councils, and is also ad...vises WJEC on geography field work. She provides teacher training and support on using the outdoors to teach, for staff in England, Ireland Scotland and the Curriculum for Wales and how it can be accessed through outdoor learning. Dawn has also designed and created outdoor learning resources to help support teachers to teach KS2 outdoors.Read more

See what others have to say about us

The training provided great ideas for launch days and celebrations at the end of the work. There were plenty of real-life examples of how this works and suggestions as to how we could implement this in our own schools. Training was very interesting and gave us the opportunity to interact, voice ideas and ask questions.

Detailed, clear with lovely ideas that will be great to meet the needs of the curriculum.

Very useful and manageable ideas to plan for outdoor learning. Great opportunity to talk with colleagues from other schools.

Dawn was able to help explain that it’s okay to have barriers but it’s how we find solutions to overcome them. I feel my confidence is increasing by every session.

Content as always was extremely relevant and gave me loads of ideas in which to break down barriers to outdoor learning.

About the venue

Stay at home, get comfortable and enjoy our live interactive course via Zoom! You’ll receive the link a few days before the course date so you can get prepared (and excited) ahead of time.

Handy course logistics

• The course will run via Zoom from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm, however, the trainer will be available 15 minutes before and after the course times to answer any questions.
• You’ll receive mid-morning, lunch and afternoon breaks to re-energise.
• This course is designed to be interactive and inclusive. We welcome questions and discussions throughout and we want you to be comfortable and stress-free no matter where you join us from!
• Your course pack includes handouts, an M&S voucher for food, a snack, a pen and a notepad – we’ll send this to you before the day. Please note this is only for UK-based participants, international attendees will receive the pack via email.
• Additional links and information will be emailed to you before and during the course.
• This course is also available as an in-house / INSET training session at your school. Contact us for details.
• Please note – the cost is per person
• Please note – the early bird rate of £185+ VAT ends 28 days prior to the course date, after this the standard rate of £215+VAT will be charged.