Cedarwood Primary School

Intent

At Cedarwood Primary School, we believe that outdoor learning makes an important contribution to children’s health, happiness and overall wellbeing. We are fortunate that our school building is set within beautiful grounds, providing a rich natural environment where children can learn, explore, be active and connect with nature.

Our outdoor provision gives children regular opportunities to spend time in nature, be physically active, explore, take appropriate risks and enjoy learning in a different environment.

We recognise the positive impact that being outdoors can have on both physical and mental wellbeing. Time spent in natural environments provides opportunities for children to move freely, develop their physical skills, experience fresh air and engage with the world around them. It also provides opportunities for calm and reflection, supporting children to manage their emotions, build confidence and develop positive attitudes towards their own wellbeing.

Through Forest School and outdoor learning, we aim to develop children’s confidence, independence, resilience, creativity and problem-solving skills. Children are encouraged to persevere, make decisions, work collaboratively and recognise what they are capable of achieving. These experiences support our school ethos of Excellence and Enjoyment for All and provide meaningful opportunities for children to demonstrate our ARK values of Ambition, Attitude, Respect, Resilience, Kindness and Knowledge.

Our outdoor environments also enable children to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles, where food comes from, sustainability and our shared responsibility for caring for the natural world.

We want every child at Cedarwood to experience the enjoyment and wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors and to develop a lasting, positive connection with nature.

Implementation

We make good use of our beautiful school grounds to provide a range of outdoor learning experiences. We are particularly fortunate to have Stroud Forest School within our grounds, giving children direct access to a natural woodland environment in which to explore, learn and develop.

Classes across the school use the Stroud Forest School for outdoor learning. This ensures that children throughout Cedarwood have opportunities to take learning beyond the classroom and experience the physical, social and emotional benefits of spending time in nature.

In addition to these whole-school opportunities, children in Years 1, 2 and 3 have access to dedicated Forest School provision. These sessions allow children to develop their confidence, independence, resilience and practical skills through first-hand experiences in the natural environment.

Our youngest children begin their outdoor learning journey from the very start of their time at Cedarwood. Our Foundation classes have their own Mini Forest, providing an accessible natural environment where children can explore, investigate, create and learn through purposeful play. This supports their physical development, communication, confidence, independence and emotional wellbeing while helping them to build an early connection with nature.

Jess’ Peace Garden provides a contrasting outdoor space where children can experience calm, quiet and reflection. It supports our focus on positive mental health and emotional wellbeing by giving children opportunities to connect with nature in a peaceful environment. It reinforces the importance of taking time to reflect, recognise our feelings and understand the different ways we can look after our emotional wellbeing.

Across our outdoor provision, children have opportunities to be physically active, explore and observe nature, grow and care for plants, develop practical skills, work collaboratively, solve problems and learn to identify and manage appropriate risks. They also experience opportunities for creativity, imagination, calm, reflection and child-led exploration.

Adults create a supportive environment in which children feel safe to explore, make choices and challenge themselves. Outdoor learning is inclusive, with activities adapted where necessary so that all children can participate, experience success and benefit from Cedarwood’s outdoor environments.

Impact

Through Forest School and our wider outdoor provision, we want children to experience a positive impact on their physical, social and emotional wellbeing as well as their learning.

We aim for children to develop confidence, independence and resilience; build positive relationships; develop their physical skills; understand how to manage appropriate risks; and recognise the positive effects that nature and outdoor activity can have on their wellbeing. 

The impact of our outdoor provision can be seen in children’s confidence, resilience, independence and enjoyment of being outdoors. It supports children to feel connected to their environment and to one another, while providing valuable opportunities to promote their physical health, mental health and emotional wellbeing.

By the time children leave Cedarwood, we want them to understand that looking after their health and wellbeing involves both their body and their mind. We want them to value being active, understand the importance of healthy food, recognise the benefits of calm and reflection, enjoy spending time outdoors and have a lasting connection with the natural world that can contribute positively to their health and wellbeing throughout their lives.