26th March 2014 9:00
By Blue Tutors
This week I’ve been interested to read about the growing trend of ‘outdoor learning’ in schools. Many schools already devote a small patch of land for vegetables or flowers which children can observe and tend to. Some schools also allow children to take lessons outside on a nice day, something which makes a nice change for children and can brighten enthusiasm. Some schools are now starting to expand their outdoor teaching by creating a ‘school farm’ with extensive vegetable patches and animals including chickens and rabbits. They have turned the outdoors into a permanent learning feature of the school by installing outdoor classrooms with benches.
Heads who are advocating this approach to learning are saying that this is not only a teaching opportunity, but should be seen as a whole new approach to learning. The argument is that learning outside in a farm environment should not just be reserved for agricultural lessons, science or geography, but can be useful for all lessons. Gardens are also a good environment to talk about geometry, history and geography, as well as use of natural imagery in literature. Additionally, teaching children outdoors sends a positive message about health, including diet and exercise. Recent reports show that a quarter of primary school leavers are obese, with commentators blaming overuse of phones, computers and TV and not enough exercise.
Evidence from schools who have introduced school farms shows that it works. In schools such as Carshalton Boys where the academic record was poor and school dinner criticised for being unhealthy, introducing a farm has been a means to changing the entire school culture. In such an environment it is much easier to teach children about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, and even have them grow their own vegetables for the school. Lastly, it is also an opportunity to teach students responsibility and ownership, as the children themselves are trusted with the upkeep of the farm. This includes working together to ensure than the animals are fed and clean, and that the vegetables are tended to. All in all, this is a positive development which many schools can learn from.