Learning in the wilderness

Growing, achieving and flourishing together in mind, body and spirit.

As part of our wider curriculum offer, children in The Woodlands (EYFS) experience weekly sessions of outdoor learning in our wilderness environment. The Wilderness is a safe fenced area accessed from our main playground. It has a variety of trees and long grasses with pathways running through it. 

We get fully waterproofed up so we are ready for all weathers. The children are encouraged to get their outdoor clothes and dress themselves. This is an essential life skill towards independence. Sometimes the children help each other with wellies and zips.

Once we are ready, we head to the Wilderness for our learning adventure! We cover many aspects of the EYFS curriculum; looking at weather, studying seasons, identifying common trees and flowers, looking at maths in the environment. The children are active throughout this learning experience and complete physical development activities such as, building see saws and climbing trees.  

The children collect various interesting items from nature which we use in our classroom provision. Learning in the wilderness also provides the opportunity for the children to socialise with each other and build relationships with peers and adults. Despite adverse weather, we always endeavour to go out, this helps the children to develop their skills of resilience. To cope in wet, cold and windy weather is a huge achievement for our children, so every session ends with a lovely warm cup of hot chocolate. The children love going to the wilderness and always return with smiles on their faces and rosy cheeks!