Kate Probert is a parent, ex-teacher, volunteer and school Governor (not all at the same school!). Here she gives us her view on how her different roles can support Outdoor Classroom Day.

As a parent, governor and teacher, I am often wearing different hats! The education profession continues to change at an incredibly fast pace, making it a challenging environment for all. It still remains an enormously rewarding profession and I have always been passionate about outdoor learning and play. Through all my roles, I have developed and supported lots of outdoor projects for a range of schools, including wildlife gardens, allotments, and outdoor classrooms.

The impact on the children when experiencing an exciting and inspiring outdoor space is huge. Unfortunately due to the curriculum and assessment changes, this has meant that teachers are spending less time outside with their children. I believe that children should be outside, not just for playtime/lunchtime and PE! But for all subjects. You can see it in their faces, you can see it in their engagement with the task.

In my opinion, we as practitioners need to keep outdoor learning at the top of our agendas, to enable children to develop to their full potential both academically and emotionally. The pressure on young people has never been so high, with the advancement in technology, children are spending more and more time in front of screens! We can change this!

Why not kick start a change with Outdoor Classroom Day  on Thursday 17th May, here are some ideas for you:

 

As a parent, you could…

• walk to your local park and spot wildlife

• encourage your child to find an outdoor space to read a book or have a book read to them

• play a ball game outside

 

As a governor, you could…

• review your outdoor learning provisions – does your school maximise the use of their school grounds?

• consider putting outdoor learning within your strategic development plan

• review financial opportunities for developing your school grounds, potentially through grants and other funding channels

 

As a teacher, you could…

• challenge yourself to teach outside, maybe start with once a week

• teach a science activity outside

• ask your class what they would like to do outside

 

I wrote this article outside, I took my notebook into the woods and I felt very inspired! Good luck with your outdoor activities.