Using the outdoors to bring the curriculum to life

Outdoor learning is fundamental to life at Tavernspite School. We have an active learning approach and use our wonderful grounds very effectively to enhance curriculum experiences. The school garden is a wonderful resource for environmental studies and personal and social education.

We have a well developed conservation area and nature garden complete with two ponds for pond dipping activities, vegetable plots and a polytunnel for growing vegetables, a variety of habitats for wildlife studies and a bird hide.

‘The outdoor environment, both on and off-site, provides high-quality learning experiences for all pupils.’ (Estyn Inspection)

We were the first accredited Outdoor School in Pembrokeshire. The definition of an Outdoor School is as follows:

‘An ‘Outdoor School’ teaches its pupils to become fully engaged with, and confident in, their local outdoor environment. Through regular visits to their local outdoor areas the children develop a strong sense of well-being and high levels of physical activity. They acquire a useful knowledge of ecology and sustainability and develop communication skills by sharing this knowledge with others as well as developing literacy and numeracy skills in an outdoor context.’

Our Headteacher, Mr. K.Phelps leads the Outdoor Schools project throughout Pembrokeshire and beyond. Although we were the first Outdoor School in Pembrokeshire there are now many located throughout Pembrokeshire and Wales.

Our work as an Outdoor School was recognised as ‘Outstanding’ and ‘Sector Leading Practice’ by the Inspectorate Estyn; we featured in the Times Educational Supplement and are listed under ‘Best Practice’ on the Estyn website. Our school is regularly used as an exemplar practice site for other schools to learn from.

We carry out numerous outdoor learning activities in our beautiful and well developed school grounds. In addition, we regularly take children to the National Trust site at Colby Woodlands and Amroth Beach which is our designated Outdoor Schools area. We are very proud of our commitment to using the outdoors to enhance learning and the children clearly gain so much from it.

Forest School

We are a Forest School; with three members of our staff being accredited Forest School leaders. We are regarded as a beacon school for leading and developing outdoor learning through the ‘Forest School’ approach.
The children benefit from visits to our off-site Forest School area at nearby Penderry Woodlands where they develop essential skills and qualities including self esteem, confidence, independence, team building, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment through this unique method of outdoor education.  Such activities include den building, preparing and eating camp fire meals and a range of curriculum based experiences.