Outside Learning Day

Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to inspire and celebrate outdoor learning and play. The day acts as a catalyst to inspire children to spend more time outdoors every day, both at school and beyond.

We are very lucky at Woodbridge Primary School to have fantastic outdoor spaces. Our expansive playground includes two outdoor classrooms – the recently named Hawthorne & Hazel Lodges – as well as The Folly, our very own mini-woodland with winding trails and the tallest of trees! 

As part of our commitment to outdoor learning, classes across the school aim to spend multiple lessons per week outside, making use of the very kind donations from the local shipping company MSC, used to purchase dedicated furniture for the lodges.  

Time outdoors at school improves children’s health, supports engagement in learning and leads to a greater connection with nature. Play not only teaches critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork and creativity, but it is also central to children’s enjoyment of childhood.

Please see have a look through all of the wonderful activities taken part in by classes across the school on this lovely, sunny summer day…

F2:

For outside learning day, F2 was trying to find living things – including looking for bugs – whilst exploring the environment. We were taking care by being considerate to the world around us whilst writing our own lists of the insects that we found. There were excellent displays of communication between the children as they told one another about their findings. 

In the water trays, the children were transporting water from one tray to the other without spilling any, a wonderful display of teamwork! Well done F2!

Y1:
Year 1 had the story The Lighthouse Keeper’s Catastrophe in Hawthorn Lodge. They also made paintings in theme with their Bee Week!

Y3:
Year 3 moved their regular learning outside, where the children were enthusiastic about the difference it made to their learning, even mentioning that they liked how they can hear the birds whilst doing maths! 

When asked how the difference made them feel, they said:

“Learning outside was quite calm” – Maddison

“It made me feel happy” – Nina 

Y5:
For outside learning day, Year 5 worked in the shelter on science. We looked through the results from our previous scientific investigation where we tested different materials to find the best thermal insulator. We compared findings and wrote a report on what would be the best insulator for a lunch box.