Outdoor Learning

We are blessed at St Joseph's with fantastic school grounds. We use these grounds to continue the learning experiences for the children in subjects across the curriculum.

Children need to spend time outdoors to be physically active; to experience nature and the changing seasons; to learn about food and where it comes from; to problem solve and team build and to generally grow with a love of being outdoors and the beneficial effects on the human body that it can bring.

Much of the environmental science curriculum can be taught in the school grounds as well as  the seasons; the weather; growth and life cycles. The school garden and class beds enable children to plant and harvest food and flowers. The Royal Horticultural Society School gardening Awards have given structure to the development of our garden and we have recently achieved Level 3.

Children at St Joseph's enjoy running on the running track which is used all year round. Children have access to the school pond and class beds to grow produce and make soup during the autumn.

Our new outdoor classroom gives shelter on days which are wet and very cold. We were very lucky to receive a grant from the Archdiocese of Liverpool to enhance our provision for children's mental and physical health - what better way to keep children healthy is there than allowing them to spend a day learning whilst playing outside?  

Each class spend a day outdoors each half term and usually end the day with a camp fire a and toasted marshmallows!