Outdoor Learning
At Greenbank we firmly believe that learning does not only happen in the classroom.
We offer an extensive programme of Outdoor Learning from Nursery through to year 6.
By moving away from seating plans and standard classroom based learning, children can embrace a greater sense of freedom and independence: essential contributors to their development.
Outdoor learning boosts confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, physical skills, knowledge and understanding. It has also been found to boost children’s self-esteem, self-confidence, ability to work cooperatively and positive attitude to learning.
Outdoor learning in education is a planned and purposeful approach that uses activities and resources to enhance learning, mental health and wellbeing, and environmental awareness.
It can be done both on-site (within school grounds) or off-site (such as on school trips). It offers a stimulating and engaging approach to learning and teachers can confidently weave it into the existing curriculum with minimal additional resources.
Taking learning outdoors can have a major impact on the learning and development of your pupils. From enhancing problem solving skills to communication and resilience, outdoor learning provides endless opportunities for exploration, experimentation and contextual learning.
1. Children’s mental health and wellbeing improves
2. Children’s relationship with nature improves
3. Education is more inclusive
4. Curriculum learning is enhanced - Learning outside isn’t an unnecessary add-on: it’s a way to deepen children’s learning experience by getting them to experience lessons in a new and exciting way.
5.Child development is enhanced
At Greenbank as well as our fantastic outdoor classroom we are lucky enough to have our own designated outdoor learning area we are able to hold our forest school on site and have our own fire circle and canopy area where the children enjoy activities such as making bread and hot chocolates, building shelters and dens and discovering wildlife.
Forest Schools are child led and encourage problem solving in the great outdoors.
We also have forest schools sessions at Tandle Hills Country Park
We have a long running relationship with Hollingworth sailing club and even have our own boats.
We partake in climbing sessions across Manchester
We successfully run the following overnight residentials;
Year 3- 1 night stay at The Moorland Home, Whitworth
Year 4- 2 night stay in Castleton, Derbyshire
Year 5- 3 night stay in Anglesey, an island in Wales
Year 6- 4 night stay in Towerwood, Lake District
All of our residentials are heavily subsidised to encourage the greatest inclusion and attendance.
Meet the team
Mrs S McGovern
Mrs R Jones
Mr J Symonds
Archery
Archery is a fun and exciting activity that All children can participate in, it engages children’s learning and development in many ways.
In Early Years the children will practice simple Archery rules whilst having fun, aiming at targets. Whilst using ‘under ‘ and ‘over’ arm throws to hit the target with bean bags the children are also learning colours, shape, number recognition and counting skills.
Whilst in Year 1 and Year 2 the children learn more about the rules of Archery and the commands used. Bows are introduced with suction arrows to shoot at small targets. The children develop their aim and begin to use the bow independently whilst having fun playing team games.
From Year 3 to Year 6 ‘Real’ arrows are introduced with the large archery targets, the rules regarding safety they have already learned are put into practice, the focus is on improving aim. Competitive team games are introduced with links to Maths lessons and in Year 3 the theme is linked to the ‘Stone Age’
Archery Gallery
Climbing
Climbing offers opportunities to participate in a new activity which requires little equipment and can be accessed by all. It is a very physical activity and extends levels of fitness, reinforcing the skills of balance, flexibility and co-ordination.
From Reception to Year 2 children learn the basics of climbing, on a mobile bouldering wall that is built in the school hall. They experience fun activities that help to develop balance as well as gain confidence on the climbing wall.
In Key Stage 2 the children are introduced to ‘Top Rope’ climbing where they get to build on the basic skills they have already learnt. They learn how to put a harness on, tie a figure of eight knot to attach to the harness and belay as a group to keep climbers safe.
As they gain confidence in their ability and also trust in each other, the children experience climbing to new heights. We visit different local climbing venues to progress and challenge our skills.
Through climbing we also develop Team work, Self-confidence, Self-belief, Positive Mental Wellbeing, Empathy, Encouragement for others, Trust, Fitness, Resilience, Personal Challenge and Life Long Memories.
Climbing Gallery
Forest School
Forest School is a different way of learning outside the classroom. Children are learning from a different approach and are often more motivated by being outdoors. This type of learning gives ALL learners the opportunity to achieve, develop self-esteem, independence, gain confidence and learn many more new skills. Forest School is a hands-on experience that takes place in a natural environment at Tandle Hill Country Park as well as on the school grounds.
Children will take part in the forest school program over a number of weeks either for a full or half day, experiencing different types of weather. Forest School helps in promoting mental wellbeing and resilience. Activities include Den Building, Shelter making, Fire Lighting, Campfire Cooking, using Tools, Hill Play, Team work, Mindfulness, Creativity and much more!
Forest School Gallery
Paddlesport
Our Paddlesport programme includes a Rafted Canoe journey for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, where we journey along the canal gaining lots of new experiences and learning the basics of paddling a boat.
These skills progress throughout Key Stage 2 with a Water Confidence and Splash session in Year 3. An introduction to Kayaking in Year 4 using Sit-on-Top Kayaks, and in Year 5 and 6 children are able to confidently paddle their own Kayaks.
Paddle Sports Gallery
