01454 868 610

Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, BS32 9DB

Outdoor Learning

Our Aims and Rationale

At Wheatfield Primary School we are extremely fortunate with our outdoor environment.

Our grounds include a large onsite ‘Wild Wood’ forest, a sensory garden, a pond, allotments, a beautiful wild flower meadow and two large play spaces. We're very fortunate to even have our own Wheatfield chickens! We have many outdoor benches for flexible learning, as well as offering opportunities to eat lunch outdoors. Our play times are enhanced with equipment for both EYFS/KS1 and KS2. We also have a large field as well as an amazing 'all weather multi-use games area' which we fund raised for, as part of our 20 Year anniversary as a school. 

 

As an inclusive school with an underpinning ethos of ‘inspire to achieve’, we aim to offer our children the experiences of outdoor education as a tool to develop their skills both academically and holistically. Research shows that outdoor education and children’s access to nature positively improves self-esteem, physical health, development of language skills and their disposition to learning (Davy, 2009). At Wheatfield we aspire to engage children in exciting, stimulating and purposeful learning by using our school grounds, as a tool for teaching and learning through hands on experiences.

"Active play is the natural and primary way that children learn"

(Sir Ken Robinson, 2009)

 

“Teaching outdoors helps encourage curiosity and stimulates all the senses

in a way that indoor learning simply cannot do.”
(The Woodland Trust)

 

     

  

Our School Grounds

In September 2023, we were a finalist in the Avon Wildlife Trust's School Wildlife Gardening competition.  Although we didn't win, the judges were very impressed with the steps that we have taken to make our school grounds eco and wildlife friendly.  We continue to implement some of their suggestions to make the school and even better place for our little visitors!  Here are some of the pictures they took, courtesy of the Avon Wildlife Trust, credit George Cook.

Eco School

For more information about Eco Schools and our Eco Councillors, click here

The allotment

We are lucky enough to have an allotment on the school grounds, managed by one of our Teaching Assistants, Mrs Boyes.  The children love to visit the space, spending time out there three times a year.  As well as learning about the plants growing on the allotment, they sow seeds, plant out seedlings, weed and water.  They even get to eat the produce during their summer and autumn visits! 

In the summer, during break and lunchtimes, the children love to sit in the allotment as a quiet space away from the games on the field.

The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.

Gertrude Jekyll

Autumn 2023

The last few classes are visiting the allotment before groups take a break over winter.  We will be planting onions to harvest in the summer and have been busy planting lots of bulbs in pots to have some colourful displays in the spring.

Springtime at school...

Wheatfield Chickens

Look at our amazing Wheatfield chickens!

Our children look after for them by interacting with and holding them with care. The children also help to collect the eggs too. 

When we have enough eggs, we leave them for sale in the egg house near the office.

Resources for families

Join The Woodland Trust's Big Climate Fightback by planting a tree ...

 RSPB - giving nature a home

Outdoor Learning Made Easy

 (Speak to your child's class teacher for the log in details for the 'Outdoor Learning Made Easy' families section)

Grounds Team

All welcome!

Our school governor, Mr Morris, hosts a 'Grounds Day' event 6 times per year which usually falls on the second Saturday of each term! Keep your eyes on the newsletter for official dates and any additional dates! Along with staff, families, children and volunteers from our community, the team work together to refresh, clean up, repair and improve our school grounds.

All are welcome - come along for some fun! Guaranteed smiles all around and refreshments including drinks and food around the fire pit!

Collect stickers each time you come on your 'Wheatfield Grounds Team Passport!' 

Our Grounds Days for the rest of this year are:

Saturday 13th January

Saturday 2nd March

Saturday 27th April

Saturday 15th June

 See below for more 'Grounds Day' photos...

Learning outdoors

Through our Curriculum offer at Wheatfield, we aspire to offer engaging and exciting opportunities to our children.

This includes providing 'real and rich' experiences across all subjects in our curriculum, as well by developing skills such as team work, resilience and responsibility.

Outdoor learning gallery more photos below...