Outdoor Learning

We believe wholeheartedly that primary education should encompass outdoor learning across every aspect of the school curriculum.

Outdoor education has a whole host of benefits to a child’s learning and development. It improves their ability to adapt and collaborate with others as well as promoting health, both mentally and physically.  Being outdoors also educates children about all that is living and how we can best care for it.

Learning outdoors develops confidence, independence and self-esteem. It also encourages pupils to take risks within the boundaries of safety and enjoy the imaginative, creative and investigative activities on offer.

Outdoor learning in the North East

Yarm Preparatory School is close to the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and stunning coastline. This means that the School has a multitude of nearby amazing places just waiting to be explored. However, we continue to invest in and utilise our own school facilities. Our pupils have access to a carefully managed woodland area, outdoor education yurt and bespoke adventure trail.

Ultimately our aim is to embrace outdoor learning and we try and incorporate different activities for each year group, including trips and excursions, to ensure this. Pre-Prep enjoy weekly woodland sessions whilst Prep School have termly Woodland Weeks at School and further afield. As a finale to their Outdoor Learning experiences in the Prep School, all Year 6 pupils spend an adventurous week in the Lake District. Here we encourage pupils to push themselves, with opportunities to climb, sail, camp, hike, kayak, scramble and much more!

By applying such a strong focus in this area, we also believe we are giving children the chance to explore, recognise and appreciate the need to conserve the environment. As a school, this is extremely important to us.