" I hear and I forget

I see and I remember

I do and I understand."

Confucius (551 - 479 B.C)

Subject Overview

At Rockmount we believe that learning need not take place solely within educational buildings. Outdoor time

often provides the most memorable learning experiences and helps children to make sense of the world around them by putting their learning into a meaningful context. Recent studies have highlighted some benefits of outdoor learning for children:

• Higher levels of conversational language.
• Greater independence.
• Improved health and sleeping patterns.
• Greater physical competence and agility.
• Improved time focus on activities and more concentration.
• A greater understanding of nature and the environment.
• Improved social skills, involvement and initiative.

We believe that every child should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development. The outdoor environment has a massive potential for providing learning opportunities. The outdoor environment offers motivating, exciting, different, relevant and easily accessible activities from Foundation through to Year 6. Our outdoor learning experiences are delivered through a combination of school-based outdoor learning, visits to other places and residential programmes in Year 5 and 6. Learning outdoors can be enjoyable, creative, challenging and adventurous and helps children gain experience and grow as confident and responsible citizens who value and appreciate the natural environment.

Golden Threads