Monthly Archives: September 2016

Yammer Outdoor Learning Group

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Yammer is essentially  a twitter for the education world with over 10,000 users.   It is easy to navigate and get involved in conversations around attainment and the outdoors.There is a Yammer Outdoor Learning Group which has been set up.  You need a glow email to access but you can load the app onto a mobile device and don’t need to keep logging in.

yammer

Taking Learning Outdoors CLPL

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Multiplication tables with leaves.
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Neil demonstrates the strength of the tight rope, easily tied with some simple knots.
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Lorraine shows her early years colleagues the space that Glenwood Family Centre use for regular outdoor learning.
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Britt shows her secondary colleagues some interesting fungi which pupils could study and draw.
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Exploring the woodland for potential learning.
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Lorraine and Jane preparing their group for a woodland adventure, the shopping trolley contains all they need.
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Signs of autumn emerging in the park
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An example of children’s risk assessment from the nursery.
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So what exactly is outdoor learning?
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Productive dialogue as everyone shared their ideas about outdoor learning.
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Of course the ice breaker had to happen in the woods, what a great way to start the day.
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You can tell when people are recalling fond memories of their favourite outdoor experiences.

Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the Taking Learning Outdoors session on 15 September at Eastwood Park.  It was a fantastic day with colleagues across the sectors sharing ideas and practice.  A special thank you goes to Lorraine, Neil and Britt for leading the sessions with such enthusiasm and they are looking forward to sharing further at the twilight practitioner forums which you can find on the Gateway CPD site. fullsizerender1

Funding opportunity

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tesco bags of helpTesco ‘bags of help’ grants could help fund a project to support outdoor learning in your setting.

What types of projects will Bags of Help fund?

Bags of Help will fund projects that deliver a physical environmental improvement or encourage the use and long term sustainability of outdoor spaces.

Projects that would typically receive funding include (but are not limited to):

  • Developing nature trail in a local park or nature reserve
  • Purchasing bee hives and seeding wildflower meadow on a community allotment
  • Providing forest school sessions in a primary school for 12 months
  • Developing a garden in a hospice, purchasing plants, benches and pergola
  • Supporting artist in residence to work with the community to develop an art trail.
  • Setting up a growing project for sheltered accommodation residents
  • Supporting a gardening project which helps local isolated residents form a gardening club
  • Supporting practical training for young people learning horticultural skills
  • Funding a series of summer events in a local park
  • Funding a programme of beach clean up events
  • Repainting swings and play equipment in a park
  • Supporting community run summer sports and leisure activities in parks.
  • Helping to set up Britain in Bloom local group, purchasing plants, planters, forks, spades and compost.
  • Developing a community garden or orchard
  • Supporting local football club with the purchase of nets, balls and coaching sessions for under 12’s