Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls

 

At The Firs School, we believe that some of the most powerful learning doesn’t happen at a desk. It takes place under open skies, among the trees, with birdsong in the background and the seasons changing all around us. Outdoor learning isn’t just an occasional treat. It’s a regular and essential part of how we teach and how our children learn.

The Benefits of Outdoor and Nature-Based Activities

More and more research shows how beneficial outdoor learning can be and we see those benefits in action every single day at The Firs. Time in nature helps children improve focus, boost creativity, build resilience, and develop stronger emotional wellbeing. It’s also the perfect setting for teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on discovery that brings subjects vividly to life.

Nature offers endless opportunities to explore and grow, and at The Firs, we harness that potential to nurture confidence, independence, and curiosity.

Our Mini Forest: A Natural Classroom

We’re incredibly lucky to have our own mini forest area within the school grounds, a peaceful, shaded space that sparks imagination and exploration. To enhance the children’s experience even further, we regularly welcome a specialist outdoor learning teacher who leads immersive sessions in the forest for different year groups throughout the year.

These sessions are rich with sensory experiences, storytelling, and hands-on activities that help children build a deeper connection with the world around them. Whether it’s building a shelter, identifying plants, or listening to a story surrounded by leaves and laughter, our forest days are always a highlight.

Nature-Inspired Creativity

Outdoor learning at The Firs isn’t just about nature walks, it’s about weaving the outdoors into every part of our curriculum. A great example is our pottery programme, where children work with our dedicated pottery teacher on creative projects unique to their year group.

Many of these clay creations are placed throughout our forest area, turning it into a living gallery that evolves with each cohort. It’s a beautiful way to blend creativity, nature, and a lasting sense of pride in their work.

At The Firs, we know that learning outside the classroom walls builds more than knowledge, it builds character, connection, and joy. If you’d like to see our Firs forest school approach in action or learn more about how we bring learning to life outdoors, we’d be delighted to show you around.

To arrange a visit, just get in touch, the trees are waiting.