Outdoor Learning
Outdoor education at Millfield
Year 2023/2024
Outdoor education is a key driver at Millfield Primary. This starts when children first enter school in nursery with Meadow Mondays every week and continues in all years throughout their schooling, culminating with upper Juniors taking part in numerous activities including kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking in the local area.
Many of these activities are provided by our own experienced staff with external coaches providing more specific activities as needed.
At Millfield we believe that all children should be able to take part no matter what their background. Over the years we have built up significant resources to allow children to take part at extremely low costs and often at no cost at all. We have our own canoes, kayaks and mountain bikes and can fully equip whole classes with full weather specific equipment to go hiking in all terrains and weathers. We can also take up to 40 children camping at a time providing tents, bedding and cooking equipment.
School trips
We have now had our own minibus for over 10 years. It is a great asset to the children's learning and is in constant use. At Millfield we try to do small group, quality trips that enhance our children's learning rather than big expensive whole class trips using coaches. For example, the trip we led last year to the Tower of London had to be massively subsidised out of school funds as the coach alone was nearly £1000. We usually just ask for donations towards fuel and car parking.
We will try to keep the number of trips high despite the high cost to the school as long as possible as they are so valuable for the children’s learning. Any contributions you can make are most appreciated.
Children’s kit
As mentioned above, we can provide all equipment that your child may need from boots, socks and thermals to tents sleeping bags and tents. Many parents are now starting to ask if they can provide their child with personal kit themselves. If you wish to do this, you are very welcome but please consult with a member of staff as to what to buy. From experience, our staff have learnt that you can spend a lot of money on a pair of boots for example, only to have them used once before they grow out of them. We do have all types of boots from year 1 size to year 8.
Adventure weeks
This year we started a new style of 'residential' stop over. Each year group from Year 1 to Year 5 will have an exciting adventure week. The activities will be based around a theme in which the pupils will engage in topic-based activities with a one-night stopover. Years 2, 3 and 4 will have a sleepover under canvas on the school field with use of our provided equipment. Year 5 will stop over for one night at a Scout Camp in our local area.
The cost of these camps is kept as low as possible to encourage all children to take part. Despite recent increases in the cost of living, we have managed to bring this in for around £30 a week for all the activities including camp. This being mainly due to the hard work and dedication of our staff.
The camps are not just highly enjoyable but are invaluable in the development of the children's social, mental and educational development. Our October 2023 activity week with Year 5 had 100% attendance. By the time they leave us, our children are well equipped to make the most of the further opportunities that their high school can provide.
Year 6 will have the opportunity to attend a week-long residential in an outdoor learning facility which will further develop their independence and preparation for the future.
Outdoor Learning Within Our Curriculum
Year 2 Adventure Week - BUGS!
Year 5 Adventure Week - Harry Potter
Early Years
In a world where it is thought that children can no longer 'play out' freely and safely Millfield Staff appreciate the importance and value of learning through outdoor play.
An experienced team of staff run the outdoor sessions. These sessions start in ‘The Den’ on the field. The Den has access to the ‘wild area’, the ‘bird hide’, the ‘meadow’, the ‘allotments’ and our beautiful field. All children have access to a waterproof suit and wellies. All Nursery children have a session in the Den on Mondays.
Reception children are split into two small groups and have their session on either a Tuesday or a Thursday.
There are many benefits that children can experience from the outdoor environment.
- Access to space with opportunities to be their natural, exuberant, physical and noisy selves.
- Fresh air and experience of different weathers.
- Endless opportunities for discovery, play and talk.
- Social opportunities that build relationships and develop self-esteem.
- Lots of opportunities to set themselves challenges and to learn how to keep themselves safe.
- To learn about the natural world.
We have been running these sessions for ten years! During this time, we have been delighted to see lots of children's confidence and self-esteem develop, their personal and social skills have improved as they learn in a natural environment with different members of staff.
Meadow Monday - Nursery
Year 4 Canoeing 2023
Lake District 2022 Year 5
What Parents Say About our Outdoor Learning
"In a world where it is thought that children can no longer ‘play out’ freely and safely, Millfield staff appreciate the importance and value of learning through outdoor play."
What Ofsted Says About our Outdoor Learning
"This school gives pupils a wide variety of experiences, both in and out of school. Rarely does a day go by when a visit or learning in the outdoor environment is not happening. Wellingtons, waterproof suits and walking boots are as much a part of what pupils need for learning as paper and pencils are.” – Ofsted 2019