18/19 | thinkoutside

School year 2018/2019

new projects, new partners, more challenges!

Watering plants with Great Grandad

In 18/19 we built on the foundations laid the previous year (particularly in our Outdoor Learning Conference) by organising half-termly gardening workshops for local school garden leaders.

Projects included:

Continuing our classes at Rutherford House School (funded by the Mayor of London) and Our Lady of Victories;

Developing an outdoor learning programme at Floreat Wandsworth;

Delivering gardening workshops in new schools (Swaffield, St Gabriels Primary School in Pimlico and St Gabriels College in Camberwell) and local communities through new concepts:

“3G Gardening” which will engage 3 generations using old experience and youthful energy to re-connect people of all ages with nature
“Seasonal changes and mathematics” – science and maths workshops based on seasonal patterns

We worked locally with Paradise Co-operative, TTT, Natural Thinkers, LEEF and Share Nursery at Springfield Hospital and nationally with RHS, Groundwork, the Linnean Institute, the National Trust and Kew Gardens co-delivering various programmes such as the Orchard Project and Pollinator Paths.

Forest School training and pilot programme

Over the whole academic year 18/19 Beata attended a Forest School Leader course run by Forest School Initiative. After several weeks of hands-on activities as well as a lot of coursework she graduated in July 2019. We delivered a 10 week pilot programme with Y2 students at Floreat School. Children enjoyed all the outdoor lessons and we are in discussion with the school about incorporating the Forest School programme into the school routine.

Garden Re-development and workshops at Our Lady of Victories Primary School

OLV is a small primary school with a little garden space along the edge of the playground. We worked with the school to maximise the use of these spaces to enhance outdoor learning opportunities and provide space to play at lunchtime and in other break times. We created a Secret Garden around the existing mature copper beach tree with logs for sitting and chip bark to walk around.

We also ran a number of gardening classes with children and teachers. We planted tomatoes, lettuces and potatoes! It has been a great first season of growing with very excited children and engaged and interested teachers!

Teacher Training classes at Battersea Arts Centre

Over the year we also organised three teacher training sessions. These were focused on three distinct aspects of outdoor learning:

Loose Parts Play
Gardening
Working with children with SEND in the garden environment.

We invited 3 specialists (David Beldon, Chris Young, Becky Pinniger) in these subjects to lead each session. All the participants had an opportunity to 'learn through play'!!