Does Tavernspite School encourage outdoor learning?

Yes, we are very committed to outdoor learning. Tavernspite school is highly regarded for its use of outdoor learning and this is considered as one of our flagships.

Our outdoor curriculum work has been recognised by ESTYN as sector leading practice and we have shared this excellent practice with other practitioners.

We take the children out of doors as often as possible to enhance their learning. The aim is that children becoming fully engaged with the outdoors and develop a great sense of well-being, as well as developing their literacy and numeracy standards and a range of other essential life skills.

The two main ways that we promote and develop outdoor learning is through our work as an ‘Outdoor School’ and a ‘Forest School.’

Outdoor School

Mr Phelps, our previous head teacher, was one of the founding members of the ‘Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools’ programme and part of his legacy is that Tavernspite School has been a committed member and leader of Outdoor Schools.

If you would like to know more about this fantastic outdoor learning programme, then please check out this link:

To become an Outdoor School, you are expected to identify an interesting local area and arrange a series of outdoor curriculum visits to this area every year.

We use Colby Woodlands and Amroth Beach as our Outdoor Schools area and go there regularly with the children to develop their knowledge, confidence and love for the outdoors.

At Tavernspite school we have greatly developed our school site to provide excellent outdoor learning facilities.

Our beautifully developed grounds include, nature gardens, meadow and woodland areas, outdoor discovery environments and a school pond habitat, sustaining its own ecosystem, allowing the children to study a variety of habitats and learn about the biodiversity.

We frequently host best practice visits from teachers from other schools to support them in developing their school grounds in similar ways.

Forest School

We are also an accredited Forest School with a number of staff fully trained as leaders. The Federation of Tavernspite and Templeton School is regarded as a beacon for leading and developing outdoor learning through the ‘Forest School’ approach.

We regularly take groups of children on forest school activity days at the nearby woodland site at Penderry woods in Lampeter Velfrey. Our Forest School programme is carefully timetabled so that all the children have the chance to develop self-esteem, confidence, independence, team building, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment through this unique method of outdoor education.

This is a real flagship of our school and an excellent way of helping children to develop important life skills as well as supporting their emotional, mental and physical well-being.

Our work as a ‘Sustainable School’

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is an important and high-profile initiative at our school. We are part of the ‘Sustainable Schools’ and the ‘Welsh Eco-school’ schemes and have received numerous awards previously to reflect our commitment to these areas.

This is another feature of excellent practice and we are recognised locally and beyond for our high regard to environmental welfare and our work on sustainability and were previously voted ‘Welsh Eco-School of the Year’. We have a very pro-active pupils’ eco-committee who meet regularly and lead our sustainable school initiates.

As part of our sustainability work we carry out extensive recycling, manage water and energy waste carefully and a range of other sustainable initiatives. Our photovoltaic solar panels provide us with electricity. ESD links are now firmly embedded in our curriculum and the children have numerous opportunities to develop relevant skills and knowledge.

We regularly grow our own fruit and vegetables and demonstrate an unending commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling to support the climate change agenda. We have a very pro-active pupils’ eco-committee who meet regularly and lead our sustainable school initiates.

Fairtrade – We are very proud to have been the first Fairtrade School in Pembrokeshire. We frequently organise events to promote our commitment to this initiative, including our annual Fairtrade football World Cup. Every effort is made to purchase fair-trade products whenever possible and the children and parents are taught about the importance of supporting Fairtrade.