School recognised for outdoor learning

Stroud School, Highwood Lane, revealed they received the national accreditation, which has been endorsed by the Department for Education.

They have now become the only school in Hampshire to be recognised for the quality of its outdoor learning.

The school prides itself on giving their pupils the opportunity to learn outside on a daily basis and their team of teachers have been working towards achieving this award over this academic year.

Angus Reid, head of learning outside the classroom, said: "After a visit from the lead assessor, we leapfrogged bronze and went straight to the silver award. This verifies all of our ongoing dedication to integrating outdoor learning into our broad and varied curriculum.

"From the assessment report we will create an action plan to steer us towards the prestigious gold award. Meanwhile, we will continue to take as much learning as we can outside and to keep building on our fantastic forest and beach school programmes."

Outdoor learning is believed to improve children's health, increase their enjoyment and engagement with learning. It is also thought to build a stronger connection with nature.

Across the year, Stroud pupils enjoy a range of activities outside of the classroom both on and off site, including week-long overseas trips to day visits to nearby country parks.

The teachers also strive to bring the outside world into the classrooms, whether it is an author or history expert coming in to lead a workshop to enhance the curriculum, or video links to other schools around the world to encourage learning foreign languages.

The Silver Council for Learning Outside the Classroom Award now sits alongside the school's Eco Schools Green Flag, which it has held for the last six years.

Stroud School is an independent day school for three to 13-year-olds and in 2012 they became the preparatory school for King Edward VI School, Southampton. This brought together two independent schools in Hampshire.