Outdoor Classroom Day 2018 is BACK and calling on schools around the country to swap their desks for the outdoors.

Outdoor Classroom Day is returning on Thursday 1 November and promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Following a record 2,612 schools and nearly 350,000 children taking part across the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) in May, schools are being challenged once more to take lessons outdoors and prioritise playtime.

The international initiative acts as a catalyst to inspire more time outdoors on a daily basis. Fundamentally, its long-term aims include for children to have access to 90 minutes of playtime at school every day.

Speaking of November’s campaign, Carley Sefton – CEO of Learning through Landscapes – said:

 

“We are proud to continue leading the Outdoor Classroom Day campaign in the UK and ROI. It’s a critical initiative for the health and wellbeing of young people, as well as their cognitive development.

 

“It’s proven that outdoor learning and play increases social skills, imagination, engagement with learning, concentration and behaviour. 90% of teachers who got involved in 2017 said that children were more engaged in their learning. Similarly, 72% also said that they were better able to concentrate after learning outdoors. As mental health challenges rise and pressures on children increase, it becomes more vital that we harness these easy-to-achieve benefits.

 

“Between our 2017 campaign and May 2018, one fifth of teachers told us they had increased time for outdoor play. In addition, two fifths increasing outdoor learning time. This initiative has the power to change pupils’ school life.

 

“Everyone is excited about our November day as it reinforces our core belief that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. We believe that children should be outdoors all year round as it is highly beneficial to their health and wellbeing.”

 

This November’s campaign will centre on the benefit of risky play and learning in school grounds and outdoor spaces, focussing on the impact an individual’s actions can have on our environment.

Cath Prisk, Global Partnerships Director at Project Dirt, said:

 

“We wanted to use this Outdoor Classroom Day to show that risky learning and play is a crucial part of growing up.

 

“Dirty knees and scratched elbows are not something children should fear – they should stand as a foundation to teach them about their strengths and limitations.

 

“Courageous play not only enables children to learn about challenging situations – and how to rise to them – but consequently makes them more aware of others.

 

“We also believe that it can help children understand how their actions can decrease or increase risk to the environment. This is a crucial learning tool to bring into young people’s lives. This as an opportunity to connect children to the environment and, above all, encourage them to nurture the nature around them.”

 

Schools on half term on 1 November are encouraged to register and go outdoors on a day that suits them. Parents and supporters can also sign up to show their support. Together we can make outdoor play and learning part of every day for every child.

Sign up now