The new Outdoor Education Department
A ground-breaking initiative that uses the outdoors to boost children’s learning has been launched at Waltham Toll Bar Academy.
The new Outdoor Education Department is, it is believed, a first in the region.
Principal Nigel Whittle joined Outdoor Education Director Ben Pharaoh and Assistant Curriculum Leader (Outdoor Education) Charlotte Seal for the launch at Waltham Leas Primary School.
The team’s offering opportunities for young people to enjoy the outdoors, whether in school grounds, urban green spaces, the countryside or wilder environments.
“Students at Waltham Toll Bar will benefit but this is also aimed at younger children, giving them opportunities they would not be able to access otherwise,” said Mr Whittle.
“Such experiences motivate young people to become successful learners and develop as healthy, confident, enterprising and responsible citizens.
“We are looking forward to working with partners across the primary sector to provide fantastic experiences, whether at Waltham Toll Bar or at their own setting.”
As part of the initiative, an ambitious outdoor area with challenging activities is being planned at the New Waltham site and will be open next September.
Mr Pharaoh said there were a host of reasons why it was beneficial for children to learn outdoors.
“Being in nature can provide a refreshing change of pace from the traditional classroom setting, and can also facilitate hands-on, experiential learning that is difficult to replicate indoor,” he said.
“In addition to the educational benefits, outdoor learning can also have a positive impact on students’ mental and physical health.
“Being outside has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, and the physical activity and active learning that often accompanies outdoor learning can help knowledge to ‘stick’.”
Partner primary schools will be offered:
Specialist Physical Education and Outdoor Education staff delivering sessions during curriculum PE time
Sessions tailored to school’s needs, cross-referencing with curriculum eg orienteering introductions to Year 5.
Half-day or full-day walking/rambling trips for small groups into the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Advice and guidance on running Outdoor Education sessions and/or trips.
Bespoke ‘experiences’ for schools, either on-site or off-site (eg navigation, sessions, cook-outs, shelter construction, bivouacking)
Waltham Leas Primary Academy’s headteacher Claire Rigg was pleased to host the launch.
“We think the Outdoor Education Department at Waltham Toll Bar Academy is terrific,” she said.
“Our Year 5 children have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team from Waltham Toll Bar and this aspect of education sits nicely within our curriculum.
“The provision fills a need as it lends itself to developing communication skills, listening and responding through discussion and best of all, encouraging team building.
“We are looking forward to working with the Toll Bar Outdoor Education Department in the future and continuing the benefits of Outdoor Education in further promoting mental and physical health.”
The initiative has also gained the support of North East Lincolnshire Council.
Ann-Marie Matson, its Director of Children's Services, said: “It's great to see more schools incorporating outdoor education in innovative ways such as this.
“Learning outdoors is proven to be beneficial to children of all ages and it's great to see one of our local academies invest in such a positive initiative.
“I'm sure it will have a positive impact on the children of our borough for many years to come.”
Mr Whittle looked forward to building partnerships with other primaries and organisations.
“We believe passionately that this offer has the potential to benefit large numbers of young children in our locality,” he said.
“The outdoor environment encourages staff and students to see each other in a different light, building positive relationships and improving self-awareness and understanding of others.”
Further information about the offer, please contact Ben Pharaoh on pharaohb@tollbaracademy.co.uk
Children at Waltham Leas Primary Academy who have benefitted from Waltham Toll Bar’s new Outdoor Education department with (left to right) Principal Claire Rigg; Toll Bar’s Principal Nigel Whittle, Outdoor Education Director Ben Pharaoh and Assistant Curriculum Leader (Outdoor Education) Charlotte Seal.
