Can we take teens outside the classroom?

There are many benefits to outdoor learning and the impacts of approaches such as forest schooling on early childhood development are well documented. Unfortunately, this type of experiential learning often gets sidelined in the Secondary years as the pressures of exam performance become ever more restrictive.

So often, high schools want to broaden their students’ experiences and explore different learning pathways but the same fear always persists: can we afford time outside the classroom?

Over a decade of leading outdoor and experiential learning, in multiple schools, has taught us a vital lesson: time outside the classroom is NOT time away from learning!

From organisational skills to self-awareness. From time management to self-belief. From overcoming obstacles to self-motivation. We have seen the so-called ‘soft skills’ that our students have learned, through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, convert to high-impact direct learning skills.

Time outside the classroom, when used for real skills-based learning, makes time in the classroom more efficient and more productive. Students who grow by learning about themselves are more effective academic learners.

The question should not be, “Can we afford time outside the classroom?”

The question should be, “Can we afford NOT to take our students outside the classroom?”