Forest School & Subject-Focused Outdoor Learning

 Intent

At Middle Barton Primary School, we provide a progressive outdoor curriculum tailored to the developmental stages of our children, rooted in our value of Respect.

• EYFS & Year 1 (Forest School Foundation): We intend for our youngest pupils to develop holistic independence, emotional resilience, curiosity, and risk-management through child-led Forest School sessions. These exploratory experiences focus on personal growth, motor skills, social interaction, and early environmental connection.

• Years 2 to 6 (Curriculum-Linked Outdoor Learning): As children progress into Key Stage 1 and 2, outdoor provision transitions into targeted, subject-focused Outdoor Learning. We aim to deepen subject understanding by bringing specific National Curriculum objectives (such as Science, Geography, History, Maths, and Art) into dynamic real-world environments, ensuring academic rigor and practical application outside the classroom walls.

Implementation

Targeted Progression:

• ​EYFS & Year 1: Weekly Forest School sessions prioritising holistic development, play-based exploration, tool handling, fire safety, shelter building, and emotional awareness in a natural environment.

• Years 2–6: Structured outdoor lessons explicitly linked to subject learning units.

• Grounds & Local Context: Maximising the use of Middle Barton's school grounds and the surrounding countryside to deliver contextualised, hands-on learning.

• Appropriate Risk & Independence: Forest School builds the early foundations of risk assessment, which Year 2–6 pupils apply when conducting fieldwork, managing tools/equipment safely, and engaging in collaborative outdoor tasks.

• Inclusion: Provision is adapted so that every child, regardless of need or background, accesses tailored outdoor opportunities that enrich their learning and well-being.

Impact

• Developmental Progression: EYFS and Year 1 pupils develop the social, emotional, and self-regulatory skills necessary for academic readiness, transitioning smoothly into structured learning.

• Deeper Curriculum Retention: Years 2–6 pupils demonstrate stronger conceptual understanding and knowledge retention as a result of experiential, subject-led outdoor learning.

• Confidence & Problem-Solving: Across all year groups, children become adaptable, confident problem-solvers who can evaluate risk and work collaboratively.

• Environmental Literacy: Children leave Middle Barton with an appreciation for nature, a clear sense of environmental responsibility, and a portfolio of practical and academic skills.