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Primary education

do you think kids spend enough time outdoors at primary school?

38 replies

mirandah2478 · 28/03/2013 22:06

Just wondering what people's experiences are with primary schools getting kids outside - has anyone found a school that has a really strong policy of taking them out whatever the weather? And does anyone have to send outdoor clothes into school? Also, personally I am finding it hard sometimes to find time to take them out to the park etc after school because of fitting in homework, making tea and things (and I'm also doing a full time degree), does anyone have the same problem? I'm researching outdoor activities for my degree so I'm interested to hear people's ideas for that as well.

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intheshed · 30/03/2013 20:18

The school I work at recently introduced a policy of letting the kids play outside in the rain at playtime, as long as they have the right clothes for it. It's great apart from when I'm in playground duty and it's pissing it down

They also encourage children to bring sledges to school when it snows.

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Tiggles · 30/03/2013 21:20

My boys go to a rural school in Wales. Foundation phase (Which goes up to end of y2 in Wales) are fairly free flow in and out of doors, with same learning experience set up for indoors as outdoors. Half a day a week has to be spent outdoors, irrespective of weather - heavy rain, snow, sun etc. (from nursery age upwards).
In KS2 they might have odd lessons outdoors in the summer, but most formal learning takes place in the classroom. However, again they have half a day a week, irrespective of weather, outdoor learning.

Waterproofs and wellies are part of the school uniform list, and on 'outdoor day' they wear their own clothes in the school colours. I think they have enough wellies and waterproofs for the nursery class.

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mirandah2478 · 30/03/2013 22:03

thanks mrz, I had a look at the outdoor classrooms and realised that my kids' school has one but I've never seen anyone use it other than sheltering from the rain before school opens! Anyone have examples of good ways of making use of them?
Also I'd be interested to know if anyone doesn't like their children doing outdoor learning for any reason?

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mrz · 31/03/2013 07:57

www.naturedetectives.org.uk/schools/

We use ours for a variety of uses - gathering together for whole class instruction before going off to complete an activity and regrouping to share findings later, storytelling on a wet day, just listening to the rain on the roof and copying with musical instruments, a central point for resources, art, music performances...

We are having a bird hide installed over Easter so we will no longer need to use the outdoor classroom for this.

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mrz · 31/03/2013 07:59

and yes we have parents who are shocked that we will be taking their child outdoors even if it is cold and moan that their child may dissolve in the rain Hmm

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mirandah2478 · 01/04/2013 12:07

lol yes it does amaze me how scared of the rain many people are, you'd think we'd all be more able to cope with it given how much it rains here! I don't think anyone would want their child being wet and cold all day but all it takes is having some decent outdoor clothes, or even just a change of clothes so they can get warm and dry afterward. Definitely in my experience doing some kind of exercise that gets you warm is a good way to enjoy being outside in cold/wet weather. Anyone have any good suggestions for activities that help keep you warm outdoors?
Also if anyone hasn't done my survey for my dissertation research please could you spare a minute or two to complete it? You could win a prize! :)
www.surveymonkey.com/s/QTSN9Y3

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MilkRunningOutAgain · 01/04/2013 13:15

My kids school was quite good at getting the kids out and about until we lost our old head as a result of being found to be in need of improvement by ofsted. Since then the new super head who is improving things, in theory at any rate, has stopped afternoon break for all kids, volume of PE done is awful, my yr 5 had 30 mins outdoor PE last half term, and rarely get out for morning break or at lunchtime. Result? My DS has been in endless detentions as he needs a break from the class to let off steam. He did have this problem in ks1, but had been managing well in ks2 until the new policies came in. And it isn't just him, the school now has a recognised behaviour problem for ks2 boys. I am starting to think of moving him, at the moment it isn't working for us.

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DontCallMeBaby · 01/04/2013 13:31

DD's school has outdoor classrooms for Yr R, but they're not brilliant - more messy stuff that's easier to do outdoors than indoors (water play etc) than proper outdoor stuff. So KS1 now has a proper outdoor learning area, not sure what use is made of it though. There's also a wildlife garden and veg garden, but the former especially is underused.

DD is in Yr 4 now, and sometimes misses out on outdoor lunchtimes altogether due to a combination of slow eating and lunchtime (indoor) activities. That's her choice though.

There's not a strong policy for outdoor learning, but the school's usually sensible, IMO. I was pleased (in a way!) for instance to get DD's PE kit back for an early was last term as it was COVERED in mud. I was glad to see the school is using their excellent grounds rather than assuming the kids cannot out until the ground is perfectly dry.

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mirandah2478 · 02/04/2013 12:33

thanks mrz the nature kindergartens look amazing :) I really wish more of that approach could filter through to primary schools, just like MilkRunningOutAgain says - many kids really need that time outdoors, it's not just a luxury it actually makes them physically and mentally unwell to be stuck inside all day. Even the government realises this now but they don't seem to be acting on their own advice a lot of the time. They've published this paper saying how we all need to spend time in natural environments, and then they go and pile on the pressure for schools to meet targets which force them to prioritise indoor activities, not to mention authorising the sale of school playing areas! :(
www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/

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mrz · 03/04/2013 13:00
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NeilOPALplay · 29/04/2013 16:43

Sorry if this feels like a bit of an advert but anyone wanting to find a school that has a really positive approach to outdoor play in ALL weathers (with coats and wellies for every pupil at a very large school) should check out Beacon Rise Primary in Bristol. www.beaconriseprimaryschool.co.uk has loads of photos of play throughout the website and the Head, Chris, is a total believer in the many benefits of `proper' outdoor play, not just a bit of expensive mass produced equipment such as trim trails or climbing frames - high in cost, low in play value.
Look at their website and you'll see what rich, beneficial and fun play provision really looks like.

My organisation, OPAL www.outdoorplayandleisure.org provides a full development programme for primary/early years settings that was tested and approved over several years by a local education authority before we opened it up to all schools. Beacon Rise Primary is just one of over 100 schools now running the OPAL programme across the UK. We've been independently assessed by Play England and two universities (report available), plus we have been cited by government as UK best practice.
We don't just transform the play environment, we address the school's cultural approach to play through better policy, we sort out teacher/supervisor training, tackle all the unfounded risk concerns and maximise the play and learning potential of the whole school.
Anyone (parent, governor, teacher) who is perhaps considering improving the play and learning environment at their school can contact me if they want more information.

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