Wellbeing and Learning Outdoors

At South Ascot Village School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Our extensive outdoor spaces provide children with endless opportunities to explore, create, and discover. From the bustling lower woods behind the playground to the more rugged upper woods used for Forest School, every area of our grounds is an outdoor classroom. Children access the lower woods daily for playtimes and structured learning, enjoying hands-on experiences that encourage curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving. The upper woods, specifically for our Forest School provision, offer a wilder, more immersive environment, perfect for creative play, building dens, investigating habitats, and engaging in real-world challenges.  Every pupil in the school attends weekly Forest School sessions throughout the school year. 

Our huge field provides space for Physical Education, large-scale science experiments, observations, and environmental projects such as measuring biodiversity or planting. The gazebo serves as a sheltered outdoor classroom where groups can gather for lessons, reading, or creative work in all weathers. Our dedicated music area allows children to explore rhythm, sound, and performance in the open air, while our sensory garden, currently in progress, will provide a multisensory space for planting, observation, and mindfulness activities.

The school can also boast an outdoor exercise area that is suitable for all children and is used during supervised social times in the summer, providing a safe and engaging space to develop physical confidence, strength and coordination.  

Our biggest asset is our open-air swimming pool, another extension of our outdoor learning, giving children the opportunity to develop water confidence, personal safety skills, and physical fitness, while enjoying lessons and recreational activities in a natural, outdoor setting. Swimming outdoors encourages resilience, teamwork, and wellbeing, making it a key part of our holistic approach to learning outside the classroom.

Outdoor learning at South Ascot Village School is fully integrated with the curriculum. Forest School makes links to all subjects and enhances classroom learning.  In science, children identify plants, observe seasonal changes, study habitats, investigate soil and water, and record wildlife activity. Mathematics comes alive as students measure tree trunks, track plant growth, map the school grounds, and explore patterns in nature. English is enhanced through outdoor storytelling, sharing fables, poetry, and observational journals, where children describe the world around them in rich, creative detail. Art and design flourish through nature-inspired projects such as leaf printing, sculpture, sketching, and photography, while music sessions outdoors allow children to experiment with natural sounds and instruments. Physical development is supported through activities that promote coordination, balance, navigation, and teamwork, and personal, social, and emotional growth is nurtured as children build confidence, resilience, and social skills in real-world settings.

The impact of learning outdoors is profound at South Ascot Village School. Children develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and independence as they tackle real challenges in their environment. They gain a deeper understanding of the natural world, fostering environmental stewardship and a lifelong curiosity about nature. Outdoor learning supports wellbeing, encourages collaboration, and provides experiences that are memorable, engaging, and deeply meaningful. At South Ascot Village School, the outdoors is not just a place to play—it is a space where learning, growth, and discovery come alive every day.