Skip to content ↓

The Hermitage School

Inspire, Learn, Achieve

Outdoor Learning

At The Hermitage School, we value the importance of nature and utilising the outside environment, as well as the experiences which come from visits and visitors. As such, Outdoor Learning is a key aspect of our ethos and we are constantly striving to improve our provision for all pupils.

All teachers at the school are committed to improving their own teaching practice, including any teaching which takes place outside or off-site, and are offered frequent opportunities to improve their delivery. We have a dedicated team of teachers who oversee Outdoor Learning and the outdoor environment, as well as dedicated Year Team Leaders who oversee access to wider Learning Outside the Classroom through engaging activities, trips and exciting visitors. This ensures that learning opportunities are constantly evolving in line with the school's commitment to deliver a balanced and varied curriculum.   

The use of our diverse outdoor spaces makes a major contribution to physical and environmental education as well as enhancing many other curriculum areas. It contributes to personal growth and social awareness and helps to develop skills for life and the wider world. Qualities such as a sense of responsibility and a purpose in life are nurtured, as well as a strong focus on learning how to manage risks and take on new challenges. There is also a great deal of intrinsic enjoyment and satisfaction to be experienced from participation in outdoor activities, which integrate strongly with our values based approach to teaching.  

Children at The Hermitage School, can expect to engage with Learning Outside the Classroom in a range of ways, including dedicated Outdoor Learning lessons, curriculum delivery utilising the wider school environment and ample outdoor spaces, adventurous activities at playtimes, off-site visits and expert visitors to the school and a variety of residential trips.