Having fun and learning as a Bedian not only inside the school, but also outside it. Is this possible? Of course it is! We often think that traditional teaching is the only way to learn, but beyond the classroom there are also a thousand ways to do it, even better.
“The classroom of the future should not be limited to a classroom at all- an ‘excellent’ curriculum would go beyond the traditional boundaries and offer real-world learning experiences outdoors.” Taking Learning Outdoors–LTS2007
Our Prep 4 and Prep 5 pupils have recently experienced two day and three day residential outdoor education trips to Patterdale and, as our Prep 6 pupils look ahead to their residential at Boreatton Park, Shropshire, next week, we reflect on the benefits of education beyond the classroom.
Many of the experiences that are used in outdoor education look, on the surface, to simply be forms of outdoor recreation including kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, and participating in outdoor games and activities. However, these experiences are used as a form of organised learning. For example, here at St. Bede’s, we use outdoor education to help our students develop their skills of resilience, problem solving or to develop their leadership skills. Outdoor education can also be used to help improve a student’s teamwork skills.
Outdoor learning begins in our Early Years phase, where activities are planned to take place in our outdoor environment to enable our youngest pupils to enjoy the natural environment and learn to seek out exercise, fresh air, and activity. There is something fundamentally healthy about using the outdoors. Thus outdoor play develops disposition for the outdoors, for physical activity, and for care of the environment. – Mrs C Hunt.
Wonderful Days at Patterdale Hall
Prep 5 spent a wonderful three days at Patterdale Hall, Glenridding in the Lake District. The hall, which overlooks Ullswater, dates back to 1624 and is the perfect setting for an outward-bound activity holiday.
The children arrived in time to have lunch on Wednesday, they unpacked and prepared for a walk up the crag that overlooks the hall across the ridge and down into the village of Glenridding. It was a lovely afternoon 7KM walk where they were able to take in the wonderful views and surroundings. – Mr J Joyce-Okeeffe.
It was a pleasure to take Prep 5 to @Patterdale_Hall. 👏
These trips are so important for their development socially, emotionally, and personally. Their attitude was amazing, their behaviour brilliant and their teamwork tremendous.🤩#BeCommitted #BeGrateful #BeInspired pic.twitter.com/9hNmpOZV8u
— St Bede's College (@StBedesCollege) May 4, 2022
Love of Learning
Many of our students have been learning and developing outside the classroom this academic year. They have been pursuing various areas of interest such as politics, economics, art and medicine. Michael had a fantastic day of work experience with Steve McCabe MP; Roselle attended ‘Realising Regional Growth: What Next for Greater Manchester?’ at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester; Martha, Tilly and Isabella joined the Young Women’s Leadership Programme run by Manchester City Football Club; and Halina’s fantastic art will be published in the next issue of the Living Edge Magazine. A group of our Lower Sixth students are also enjoying our College Medical Forum, which provides chances to attend lectures, explore work experience opportunities and listen to visiting experts. Our young people are relishing learning about themselves, while having their eyes opened to the world beyond A-Levels. – Mrs A McMonagle.