Outdoor Learning at Nightingale Primary
An education at Nightingale and our partnership with The Garden Classroom equips every child with a deep nature connection that we believe will last a lifetime. Children thrive in natural environments and we believe it is their right to spend time in nature as often as possible. In Nursery, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 this includes half a day every week spent learning outdoors in Forest School. In Years 3-6 they move into a programme of more extensive day-trips to learn outdoors including frequent curriculum theme days (such as 'The Rocks Beneath My Feet' in Year 3) and outdoor skill days where they learn to use tools, light fires and create shelters. During our everyday classroom learning, if a lesson would be better taught outside, we head to the park. Every child in Years 4,5 and 6 take part in our camping trips to Hobbs Hill in Kent where they sleep under canvas and toast marshmallows under the stars.
Outdoor Learning Curriculum – 2025/26
Vision
Embed meaningful outdoor learning so every child connects with nature, develops ecological understanding, and practices real sustainability skills.
Use our school grounds and local environment as active learning spaces across subjects.
Foster wellbeing, curiosity, and environmental stewardship through regular, developmentally appropriate outdoor experiences.
Grow a whole-school culture where sustainability is visible, lived, and student-led.
Short-Term Goals (0–3 years)
Deliver one outdoor learning session per class each half term, plus continued Forest School for allocated classes.
Map outdoor learning activities to curriculum objectives (science, geography, literacy, maths).
Launch small, high-impact sustainability actions: recycling, composting, simple biodiversity projects.
Provide staff training to improve confidence in delivering outdoor sessions safely and effectively.
Begin pupil voice initiatives (eco-council, class audits) to guide sustainability priorities.
Measure early impact through engagement, teacher feedback, and visible sustainability changes on site.
Long-Term Goals (3–10 years)
Establish a consistent progression of outdoor skills and sustainability learning across year groups.
Expand site features: outdoor classroom areas, garden beds, habitats, and models of sustainable practice (e.g., water collection).
Position the school as a local sustainability and outdoor learning leader through community partnerships.
Grow student-led sustainability projects with measurable environmental improvements.
Embed outdoor learning and sustainability achievements into school reporting and celebrations.
Explore partnerships for long-term impact evaluation and research opportunities.