Learning for Sustainability advice and guidance: Outdoor learning
Outdoor learning takes place in both the natural and built environment. The outdoors provides the perfect setting to bring the whole curriculum to life. From daily outdoor play to more adventurous expeditions and residentials, being outdoors enhances all our lives.
Outdoor learning resources
Learning through Landscapes is one of the UK’s leading charities working on outdoor learning and play, offering professional learning, advice and guidance.
Going Out There is the Scottish framework for safe practice in off-site visits.
Out to Play Caring for our Outdoor Spaces provides practical advice on making the most of outdoor spaces and caring for the environment through LfS for early learning and childcare practitioners.
Beyond your boundary from NatureScot is a resource for supporting learning in local greenspace.
Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning (PDF)
Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning - Gaelic version (PDF)
Practical guidance, ideas and support for teachers and practitioners in Scotland (PDF)
Scotland’s Coalition for Outdoor Play and Learning Position Statement (inspiringscotland.org)
Out to Play: practical guidance on creating outdoor lay experiences (gov.scot)
Out to Play: Caring for Our Outdoor Spaces (gov.scot)
Space to Grow: Design guidance for early learning and childcare (gov.scot)
The Suitability Core Fact: Building Better Schools (gov.scot)
Outdoor Learning Briefing Paper (Policy Scotland)
Building your curriculum outside and in (PDF)
Connect parent/carers survey Learning for Sustainability Findings Report
Teaching, learning and play in the outdoors: a survey of provision in Scotland (nature.scot)
Learning for Sustainability and outdoor learning policy briefings (Glow blog)
The use of residential experiences and their impact on attainment (learningaway.org)
Natural Connections Demonstration Project: Final report and (analysisnaturalengland.org)
More than just a ski trip (relationalschools.org)
How awards can help you take learning outdoors (YouTube)
Social studies and outdoor learning (YouTube)
A Headteacher’s journey (YouTube)
Four contexts and outdoor learning (YouTube)
Using digital tools to capture, create and share outdoor learning (YouTube)
Learning outdoors - Numeracy and Mathematics (YouTube)
Outdoor learning with a focus on additional support needs
Gender differences in the outdoors
Outdoor learning - what can we learn from research
Outdoor learning and early level
The Learning Conversations, Learning for Sustainability (podbean.com)
Additional Support Needs (ASN)
Learning in Local Greenspace with St Crispin's School (NatureScot)
Early Learning and Childcare
Learning outdoors with confidence (PDF)
Get the bairns oot! An outdoor kindergarten in Norway
Primary
Kirkshaws Primary School - a case study
St Paul’s Primary School - a case study
Beckford Primary School and the Rowan Cottage Nurture Group - a case study
St Benedict’s Primary School - a case study
Patna Primary School - a case study
Linnvale Primary School - a case study
Easter Carmuirs Primary School - a case study
All about the bees! Logan Primary School, East Ayrshire (Glow blog)
Gartocharn Primary School – outdoor learning before and into the recovery phase
Outdoor Learning as a context and an approach for learning: Middleton Park School, Aberdeen City
Cycle Co-operative, East Dunbartonshire
Secondary
International partnerships: Bannerman High School, Glasgow
Levenmouth - A Climate Beacon? (YouTube)
Community Learning and Development (CLD)
Outdoor residential experiences
Residential experiences and the John Muir Award at Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre (743 KB)
Outdoor Learning Directory (Scotland)
Scottish framework for safe practice in off-site visits (goingoutthere.com)
Playtime revolution: a resource from Grounds for Learning
Climate Ready School Grounds - Learning through Landscapes (ltl.org.uk)
Forest Kindergarten approach – learning outdoors with confidence
Religious and moral education through outdoor learning (PDF)
Beyond your boundary: easy steps to learning in local greenspace (nature.scot)
Outdoor Education Centres: Fit for the future (PDF)
Education recovery and support from outdoor education centres
