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Ideas and inspiration for outdoor learning
Practical ideas, expert guidance and school stories to help you take learning outdoors.
Latest articles
The New Curriculum is Coming: What Schools Need to Be Ready For in 2027
The revised national curriculum will be published in spring 2027, alongside a growing emphasis on enrichment, physical activity and learning beyond the classroom. Here’s what primary schools can do now to strengthen outdoor learning, prepare staff and build an inclusive offer that is ready for what comes next.
Celebrating Success: Year-End Impact Reports for Outdoor Learning
As the academic year draws to a close, schools can use The Outdoor Classroom’s data dashboards to reflect on their outdoor learning journey. From hours active and distances walked to subjects covered and classes involved, impact reports help leaders celebrate progress and shape next year’s priorities within the School Development Plan.
Summer Sprint: Using Outdoor Competitions to Boost Engagement
As Sports Day season approaches, outdoor competitions offer a powerful way to boost motivation, strengthen teamwork and bring curriculum learning to life. Inter-house trails, automatic scoring and digital leaderboards in The Big League help schools combine PE with literacy, numeracy and problem-solving—without increasing staff workload.
STEM in the Sunshine: Outdoor Experiments with Real-Time Feedback
Warmer weather opens up countless opportunities for STEM learning outdoors. From testing forces and shadows to observing materials and measuring real-world data, pupils can carry out science, technology, engineering and maths investigations in fresh air and natural light. With digital tools providing real-time feedback, teachers can run practical experiments without increasing workload.
Earth Day in Action: Eco Projects Powered by The Outdoor Classroom
Earth Day offers an ideal moment for pupils to connect with nature, investigate environmental issues and take meaningful action. Using The Outdoor Classroom, schools can deliver hands-on eco projects that support PSHE, geography and science—while tracking participation digitally and avoiding the need for printed worksheets.
Spring into Rewilding: Tracking Biodiversity with Digital Tools
Spring brings a burst of life to school grounds, making it the perfect time for pupils to explore plants, wildlife and seasonal change. From simple plant-spotting surveys to tracking minibeasts and observing habitats, digital tools make it easy to collect real data that supports KS1 and KS2 science—especially ‘Plants’ and ‘Living Things and Their Habitats’. Discover practical ways to bring rewilding into everyday lessons.
Half-Term Explorers: Taking Learning Beyond the Classroom Gates
Half-term offers the perfect chance to take learning just beyond the school gates. Even in built-up areas, local parks, pavements and playgrounds provide rich opportunities for KS2 geography fieldwork and PE active minutes. Discover how urban schools can use simple, structured outdoor activities to build enquiry skills, increase movement and make the most of the spaces on their doorstep.
New Term, New Courses: Planning Cross-Curricular Orienteering and Outdoor Learning with Ease
Take advantage of The Outdoor Classroom's one-click course builder to create geography fieldwork, PE orienteering challenges, or literacy trails—ready to go straight after the Christmas break.
Frosty Footsteps: Sensory Outdoor Activities for Winter Learning
December brings a sparkle to the school grounds—frosty grass, icy puddles, and misty breath on the morning air. While winter can tempt us to retreat indoors, it’s actually one of the richest times to step outside and explore. The chill of the season sharpens the senses, and every frosty footprint becomes a chance to learn.
Nature Journals in the Rain: Literacy and Science Outdoors with Digital Prompts
November often brings grey skies, drizzle, and damp playgrounds—but that doesn’t mean learning has to move indoors. In fact, rainy days can be the best time to spark curiosity and creativity outside. From the glisten of raindrops on leaves to the smell of wet soil, rain transforms the world into a sensory-rich classroom.
Counting Conkers: Outdoor Maths Activities Using The Outdoor Classroom App
October is conker season—and what better way to harness nature’s bounty than by turning it into a hands-on maths lesson? Children love the excitement of collecting conkers, acorns, and leaves, and with the right approach, these natural treasures can become powerful tools for building mathematical understanding.
Autumn Adventures: Kick-Starting the School Year with Active Outdoor Learning
Autumn is here—golden leaves, conker hunts, crisp air, and a sense of fresh beginnings. As schools welcome pupils back into the rhythm of the new academic year, it’s the perfect moment to step outside and harness the power of active outdoor learning.
Free Outdoor Adventures for Families This Summer
Looking for free ways to keep children active over the summer holidays? We’ve rounded up simple outdoor ideas to spark adventure, creativity, and connection with nature – all without spending a penny!
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