Outdoor Education
Forest School
At St Philomena’s Catholic School, our Forest Education provision gives children the opportunity to learn, explore and grow through meaningful experiences in the natural environment. Our outdoor sessions encourage curiosity, creativity and independence, allowing pupils to take an active role in their own learning journey.
Children participate in Forest Education once every term, ensuring regular, purposeful engagement with the outdoors while complementing their wider curriculum learning. Each session is carefully planned to provide rich, hands on experiences that support children to investigate, solve problems and develop new skills at their own pace. Whether working individually, with a partner or as part of a group, pupils are encouraged to build confidence, resilience and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Forest Education offers a unique opportunity for children to connect with nature while developing important life skills. Activities may include den building, exploring wildlife, collecting natural materials, creating with woodland resources, outdoor games and discovering seasonal changes within our environment.
As a Catholic school, our Forest Education sessions reflect our commitment to stewardship of God’s creation. Inspired by the teachings of Laudato Si’, children learn to appreciate, respect and care for the natural world as a precious gift from God. Through hands on outdoor experiences, pupils deepen their understanding of their responsibility to protect and cherish creation, living out our mission with gratitude, joy and a sense of service.
Spending time outdoors supports children’s wellbeing and helps them develop a positive relationship with their environment. Forest Education allows pupils the freedom to explore, discover and learn in a calm, nurturing and inspiring setting.
Orienteering
At St Philomena’s Catholic School, we are fortunate to have a permanent orienteering course around our school grounds, providing children with opportunities to learn outdoors throughout the year. Using maps and designated checkpoints, children navigate routes, solve challenges and work together in an engaging and active environment.
Our orienteering course is used across the curriculum, enabling teachers to deliver meaningful outdoor learning in a wide range of subjects. By taking learning beyond the classroom, children apply their knowledge in practical contexts, making lessons engaging, memorable and purposeful.
As a Catholic school, we value opportunities for children to appreciate God's creation and care for the world around them. Orienteering encourages respect for the environment, cooperation with others and perseverance when faced with challenge, reflecting the Gospel values that underpin life at St Philomena's.
Through orienteering, children develop map-reading and navigation skills alongside confidence, resilience and effective communication. They learn to think critically, make informed decisions and celebrate both individual achievement and success as part of a team.
The benefits of orienteering include:
- Developing map-reading and navigation skills
- Supporting learning across the curriculum through practical outdoor experiences
- Encouraging teamwork, communication and cooperation
- Improving physical fitness, coordination and stamina
- Developing concentration, decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Building confidence, resilience and independence
- Promoting health and wellbeing through active learning
- Fostering respect for God's creation and our Catholic values
Our orienteering course enriches children's learning by combining physical activity with meaningful curriculum experiences. It helps children become confident, resilient and responsible learners while making the most of our outdoor environment.
