We are proud to have been a part of Global Outdoor Classroom Day for the past few years, along with over 90,000 other schools. You can find us on the map of participating schools here.

The Scottish Government’s Health & Social Care Standards, 2017 state, “As a child, I play outdoors every day and regularly explore a natural environment.”

At ISA, we believe in the transformative power of outdoor play and learning. Inspired by the principles of Global Outdoor Classroom Day, which aims to integrate outdoor time into every child's daily routine, we are committed to spending more time outdoors, listening to the children's ideas, whilst supporting and extending them. This approach makes the children's outdoor experiences rich and engaging.

Outdoor learning has always been an essential part of our curriculum, and our students have been incredibly busy exploring, building, and learning in nature. Here's a glimpse into some of the exciting activities that have been happening, including our participation in the most recent Global Outdoor Classroom Day on 23rd May.

Crafting a Climbing Ladder

The students needed something to help them climb higher, so we decided to create our very own ladder. The students gathered strong, sturdy branches to serve as the rungs. After untying some rope that had been wrapped around a tree, Miss Katie demonstrated how to use the Bow saw to cut the branches to size. We have been gradually introducing tool work, starting with initial safety talks and providing opportunities for the children to learn about various tools and their uses.

Building a Secret Base

Our students have been busy constructing a secret base to play in, using materials tied to the trees and sticks to support the structure. They even added cushions to make it a cosy place to "chillax!" The children used hammers to drive in pegs, tied knots and collaborated to move logs, creating seating areas and places to pretend to cook.

Foraging

Emilia from our Drum Class has been sharing her foraging skills with her peers. With a passion for plants and flowers and good knowledge of some of the benefits they have to us as humans, Emilia has been teaching us about the benefits of various plants. Armed with a stick to point out different plants, in case of stinging nettles, she identified a docken leaf, known for its ability to soothe stings. Emilia and Miss Fiona collected dandelions to make dandelion tea for her peers and teachers to try.

Litter Picking

In an effort to keep our school grounds clean and inviting, a group of students went on a litter pick around the school grounds. Equipped with litter pickers, they diligently collected rubbish, making our outdoor spaces more beautiful and enjoyable for everyone.

Digging and Discovering

The children continue to enjoy digging, developing physical skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills, along with their understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts. A large hole they dug has now filled with rainwater, and they have been exploring the movement of water. They worked together to scoop water and pour it into a bamboo trough, leading to conversations about the speed and direction of the water. They also had fun jumping into the muddy puddle, which brought big smiles and lots of mud!

Creating with Clay

Some children have been working with clay, developing fine motor skills by shaping the clay into various forms, including faces. They used natural resources for hair and other features, then displayed their creations on a tree trunk for everyone to appreciate.

At ISA, we are proud to be part of the global movement that values outdoor learning and play and are committed to fostering environments where young learners thrive every day. By providing playful pathways from the age of three onwards, we encourage creativity, exploration, and a lifelong love of learning in a caring, supportive and stimulating environment.

While we set the countdown to the next Global Outdoor Classroom Day in November, our young learners will continue their learning journey through a wide range of play-based activities in our wonderful, natural outdoor facilities.