Aims

Here at Stivichall Primary School, we believe that every pupil should have the opportunity to experience a learning environment that goes beyond that of the classroom, irrespective of age, ability or circumstances. Our aim is to foster confident, adaptable and responsible individuals by providing meaningful opportunities for learning in real-world contexts.

We are committed to a holistic education that aligns with our core curriculum aim: providing children with a passport for life. This approach ensures that our children are not only prepared for academic success but are also equipped to navigate the opportunities and challenges of life with resilience and resourcefulness. 

“The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves.” Roald Dahl

Curriculum

Our commitment to Learning Outside the Classroom extends beyond our school pledge permeating every subject where children are encouraged to accumulate knowledge, behaviours and skills that they apply in the wider world. We offer a range of experiences to enhance and enrich learning:

Forest Schools
All children at Stivichall participate in four weeks of Forest School sessions each year, following a carefully designed progressive curriculum which builds their practical skills, environmental awareness and confidence in outdoor learning. 

Our Forest School takes full advantage of a rich variety of natural spaces on our school grounds including the wooded area, pond, dell and sensory garden. These diverse environments offer children hands-on opportunities to explore, discover and engage with the natural world around them across the seasons.

As well as building outdoor skills, our Forest School sessions support children’s social and emotional development. The nurturing, unpressured setting allows them to take risks safely, solve problems and build resilience, independence and teamwork.

We also offer Parent and Child Forest School workshops giving families the opportunity to connect to nature and one another through meaningful shared outdoor learning experiences. These sessions foster a sense of community and reinforce the importance of time spent in nature for wellbeing and connection.

 

Gardening Club and Community Allotment

Our gardening club and new community allotment provide children with hands-on opportunities to learn about healthy eating, environmental care, sustainability and how things grow. Through planting, nurturing and harvesting, our pupils develop important skills such as teamwork, planning, patience and responsibility.

The produce grown is shared with the children and school encouraging a sense of pride and accomplishment. These experiences also foster a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and the importance of caring for our environment.

Beyond practical gardening skills, the club strengthens connections within the local community, offering a welcoming space for children and families to come together. It also supports cross-curricular learning linking science, maths and wellbeing in a meaningful, real-world context.

Visits On and Off Site

We enhance our curriculum with a wide range of experiences beyond the classroom designed to deepen children’s understanding and bring learning to life.

Our school is located just across the road from the Memorial Park which serves as an accessible and versatile outdoor learning space where children can engage in activities linked to many areas of the curriculum. It also played host to whole-school community events such as our annual house cross country race and spring walk promoting physical activities, mindfulness and school spirit.

We offer curriculum-linked day trips, visits from guest speakers and interactive workshops to provide additional layers of engagement across a variety of subjects.

Our programme includes residential trips that build independence, resilience, responsibility and teamwork:

• Year 3 and Year 4 camps
• PGL in Year 5
• DolY-Moch in Year 6.

These experiences help children make connections between their learning and the wider world supporting both academic and personal development.

Outcomes

Through our commitment to Learning Outside the Classroom, pupils:

• Develop practical skills, independence and resilience;
• Strengthen their social and emotional wellbeing;
• Build stronger connections with their peers, families and community;
• Gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and their place within it;
• Are better prepared for lifelong learning both in and beyond school

This approach nurtures well-rounded individuals who are ready to meet the demands of the modern world with confidence and curiosity.

Extending Learning Beyond School

We actively encourage families to extend their children’s learning outside the school gates. Whether through time spent in nature, involvement in local community projects or simply exploring interests at home, these experiences enrich children's development and reinforce the values we nurture in school.

You could try some of the following at home:

• National Trust 50 things to do before you are 11 ¾
• Visit a local park
• Go camping
• Take a family walk
• Notice seasonal changes