Outdoor Learning at MDJS

‘Learning outside the classroom should not be an optional extra’, but rather an entitlement to all; stimulating the senses and developing an early interest in the natural world’.

We are privileged, at MDJS, to have lovely school grounds and to be situated very close to Hartshill Hayes and we believe that learning outside of the classroom should be integral to all our pupils’ learning. Our pupils have numerous opportunities to work outside in a variety of ways, both within distinctive topic work (i.e. work on habitats) and within other curriculum areas (i.e. creative writing in autumn leaves in the Hayes, numeracy work measuring natural forms).

We have an ongoing programme to develop numerous areas within school to create maximum opportunities.

'Alfresco' Outdoor Learning

We have developed a large area of the grounds into outdoor classrooms and learning zones. We have three outdoor classrooms with log seating and whiteboards, under the shade of mature trees. Accompanying these are a series of Wild Learn dens; seating areas, dens made with recycled pallets, seats and pods all fantastic for group or individual learning.  Being outdoors, in the fresh air and surrounded by nature is excellent for mental well being and has been proven to improve children's motivation and mental health. All classes are encouraged to use the area for learning as much as possible, delivering lessons that are normally classroom based, in the great outdoors!

Wild Learning Area

We have developed our ‘Wild Learning’ Area to maximise biodiversity and create a range of habitats for wildlife. This area includes two ponds, bug hotels, spider web frames, wild flower area, giant bird box, willow dome, hedgehog homes. We have an outdoor classroom area, bird hide and small orchard, planted in 2015.

Grow Zone

We have developed a large allotment area, called our Grow Zone. Each class has responsibility for an area outside their classroom and we plan for and grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. These are harvested and used in school dinners and in recipes and cooking within school.