Bringing the Curriculum to Life in Secondary Education

Outdoor learning is a key project here at St Mary's. Head of Outdoor Learning, Julia Hutchinson, recently took part in a conference which explored the importance and benefits of outdoor classrooms to learning and growth within secondary education. St Mary's, as a leader in the field, acted as the perfect case study for how outdoor learning can bring the curriculum to life, whilst exploring the various holistic teaching strategies inspiring young learners, enacted at St Mary's, Cambridge. 

At St Mary's Cambridge, effort to promote pupils' overall wellbeing, development and creative skills, which includes the implementation of whole school approaches. One such way, is combatting the feeling that there is no time to get outside within secondary education settings, especially compared to primary settings. However, with the pressure of high stakes exams, older students need outside time just as much as primary-aged pupils, perhaps even more so.

Our aim is that all students should spend some time outside, in all subjects. 

Dr Paddy Wallace, Senior Deputy Head Academic, said

Outdoor learning is being riven forward in an innovative and exciting way here at St Mary's. We are integrating everything that is being done in this area with everything we do elsewhere. It is not an add on, it is part of who we are.

St Mary's joined the Outdoor Classroom Day movement, a global initiative to make time outdoors part of every child's day. On two days of action each year, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. On these two days, teachers are really encouraged to use outdoor learning areas, and at break and lunchtimes, the fire pit is in use, marshmallows are toasted, and children are really encouraged to get outside. All year round, the Outdoor Classroom Day community campaigns for more time outdoors every day. Other initiatives have included a visit from a mobile farm, pop-up lunchtime events, an annual apple day and mini flower show competitions.

Developing this whole school ethos takes time, but the outdoor learning team are committed to its successful integration into the wider curriculum. For instance, Julia Hutchison provides staff with ideas for outdoor learning opportunities and activities in bulletins, and the recent sign up to Cross-curricular Orienteering emphasises our commitment. Furthermore, biophilic classrooms have been established. Biophilia is our instinctive biological connection with nature. To fund this, Year 9 students were given £20 each, and two weeks to make as much money as possible. They sold food, drinks, jewellery and more. They were then taken to a local garden centre and chose plants with the money they had made. The students then take responsibility for looking after the plants.

Outdoor space is used both academically across the curriculum and for extra-curricular activities. Students are invited to apply to become outdoor learning scholars, where they provide ideas, and lead and attend events. It’s important to think carefully about how to measure the impact of these initiatives, to do so, observations (photographic and diary evidence) are taken. Self-evaluation quizzes and student interviews are conducted, and feedback is sought from students and parents.

Julia Hutchison, Head of Outdoor Learning, said

We have the chance to be leaders in helping students reconnect with nature. It is our duty as teachers to evolve and respond to changing circumstances. The world has changed and is changing and students are struggling. We can change the way we do things in response to this, and not be afraid to try.