In Pre-Prep, the boys access the outdoor provision daily; in their year groups for break time, PE and during some structured lessons. The boys across all year groups initiate learning opportunities, making independent choices and use a range of resources in creative and innovative ways. The joy we have seen in our playground while curious boys explore the outdoors is something to behold.
For Pre-Reception boys, the playground offers a platform for friendships to grow, with opportunities available for collaboration, teamwork and sharing ideas. In Reception and Year 1, these foundations are strengthened, and boys can often be seen directing play and learning, exploring the playground and engaging in team sports.
Risk taking is valued in the outdoor environment with the boys relishing the challenge of climbing the tree to ring the bell. This is all done with careful supervision in a controlled and safe environment. It allows the boys to improve their resilience and problem-solving skills as well as developing core strength and gross motor skills.
The Pre-Prep Forest School area provides a natural setting for role-play, construction and general exploration of the natural world and lends itself so well to all areas of the curriculum. It has been wonderful to see even our youngest boys engaging in this space, representing their own experiences. The boys particularly enjoy ‘cooking’ in the mud kitchen, using sustainable materials and using an application of instructional language.
Numeracy skills are developed when playing outdoors as boys count tyres and any other form of construction. Space, shape and measurement is keenly explored with boys using planks of wood to measure out spaces.
Having regular exposure to the natural world, noticing features in the environment such as minibeasts and seasonal changes is of great importance, not only for the acquisition of knowledge but also on promoting a good level of mental health and wellbeing. According to the Open University’s OPENspace Research Centre, there is considerable evidence suggesting that learning opportunities outdoors improves well-being and increases a child’s ability to function in school. Studies have also shown increased productivity, better behaviour, and the fostering of more positive relationships between adults and children and amongst peer groups.
Creative stations and provocations to themes are offered in the outdoor provision enabling opportunities for them to 'have a go,’ expression and using a range of tools and colour. During this time, the boys learn how to take inspiration from the natural world. A recent activity saw the boys painting on tin foil, representing colours they had seen in the sky, the previous evening.
The sand and water area offers endless opportunities for scientific and mathematical play, discussing capacity and volume, making predictions on how many buckets it takes to fill a tray. Boys have experimented with saturation and how some things dissolve, and some do not. Transporting materials also plays a significant role in this area of the playground with boys often observed moving things from one area to another with a clear plan of action and a degree of trial and error.
A quieter area is provided under the canopy, with puzzles and small world imaginative play. This space also offers a stage for the ‘Pre-Prep Theatre’ which invites boys to produce their own plays, which are often performed in front of a select audience of close friends. These outdoor experiences add much value to the boys learning, enriching the curriculum by offering opportunities to extend classroom-based learning and helping boys to develop their confidence in initiating ideas and engaging with other boys across the entire year group.
Kelly-Ann Brennan
Deputy Head of Pre-Prep