Starting Out – Take Your Class Outside

Overview: Starting OUT – Take Your Class Outside

This course is ideal for teachers who want to make a fresh start with a new group of students, whether they are transitioning from a different school, class, or classroom. The focus is on using outdoor spaces to foster a sense of safety, excitement, and community among students. You’ll discover why choosing to take your class outside at the right moments can completely transform group dynamics.

The course covers key topics such as:

Creating a Welcoming Environment: Learn how to establish a space where students feel secure, both physically and emotionally, using the natural environment as a tool for comfort and exploration—one more reason to take your class outside.

The Benefits of Outdoor Learning: Discover how outdoor settings can enhance social interactions, allow for creative and messy play, and provide a dynamic environment for both stimulating and calming activities. When you take your class outside, you create opportunities that indoor classrooms simply cannot replicate.

Setting Up Your Space: Get practical advice on choosing the right outdoor area, setting physical and social boundaries, and organising activities that cater to various interests and needs. With the right preparation, deciding to take your class outside becomes an easy and reliable option.

Building Relationships: Explore strategies for getting to know your students and helping them connect with each other through engaging games and collaborative projects that work especially well when you take your class outside.

Routine and Structure: Understand the importance of a balanced routine that includes time for movement, quiet reflection, and group discussions—yet another reason educators often choose to take your class outside for more flexible, responsive learning.

Course Highlights

Interactive and Practical: The course includes hands-on activities and real-world examples that you can apply directly to your teaching practice, especially when planning to take your class outside.

Expert Guidance: Benefit from Terri Harrison’s extensive experience and insights into the Nature Nurture approach, which emphasises the therapeutic and educational benefits of nature.

Flexible Learning: As an online course, you can access the material at your own pace and revisit it whenever you’re preparing to take your class outside again.

Why Outdoor Activities for Primary School Children Matter

In today’s classrooms, many pupils struggle with anxiety, low resilience, and difficulty managing their emotions. As a result, transitions become harder and learning time is often disrupted.

However, thoughtfully designed outdoor activities for primary school children can provide the movement, structure, and emotional balance needed to support regulation. When you intentionally take your class outside, the benefits extend far beyond fresh air.

Recent research from the University of East London found that when teachers take their class outside, stress reduces and children’s focus improves. Lower noise levels, calmer bodies, and sustained attention were all reported—even among children who typically show challenging behaviour.

Read the summary here:
🔗 https://www.uel.ac.uk/about-uel/news/2025/december/outdoor-learning-linked-lower-stress-better-focus

In addition, Adele Diamond’s influential psychological research shows that structured activities supporting executive function help children with both emotional regulation and academic success. Outdoor environments are ideal settings for these structured, supportive experiences—another compelling reason to take your class outside.

Read the full article here:
Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology.
🔗 https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143750

Together, these findings reinforce what many UK teachers already observe: when you take your class outside with intention and structure, you boost wellbeing, behaviour, and engagement.

Takeaways

By the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to use outdoor spaces to support the emotional and social well-being of your students. You’ll gain confidence, inspiration, and practical know‑how every time you choose to take your class outside. Join us and transform the way you approach the start of the school year or any new group of students.

Ready to take the next step? Sign up for “Starting OUT! – Take Your Class Outside” today and begin your journey towards a more engaging and enjoyable teaching experience.