Outdoor learning spaces open for Shinfield primary schools

New outdoor classrooms at two Shinfield primary schools were officially opened last week [7 November], to coincide with Outdoor Classroom Day.

Both outdoor spaces were provided by the University of Reading, which has worked with the schools, and particularly the school children, to develop the sites into unique settings that best meet their needs.

Shinfield St Mary’s C.E. Junior School now has access to a meadow classroom that features: a new pond, with a wooden bridge for pond-dipping; new planting and footpaths; new habitats for wildlife – including bee mounds, a large wooden bug hotel, bird boxes and hedgehog homes; a learning circle with wooden benches; and new gates and fencing to ensure the children’s safety.

Shinfield Infant and Nursery School has had a small woodland copse made available to them, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the school site. The school needed a calming, nurturing environment for smaller groups of children, particularly those who can sometimes struggle with social engagement and behavioural problems. 

The University improved the space by clearing litter, cutting back overgrown brambles and nettles and installing low-impact fencing on the outer edge. New wooden benches and a wood-clad bin have recently been installed, at the request of the school children. The University’s print studio is also producing weather-proof anti-litter signs using the children’s artwork.

Matt Knight, Head of Ecology and Sustainabilty at Shinfield St Mary's Junior School, said: "It has been fantastic working with the University on the meadow project. They kept us involved throughout the process; our children were actually able to design many of the features in the area. The team were brilliant, they really helped the children's ideas come to life.

“We pride ourselves on our outdoor provision at Shinfield St Mary's and projects like this help to further improve the quality of learning available to the children. We look forward to working with the University in the future, continuing our close relationship with their education department."

Outdoor Classroom Day

The University hosted separate events at Shinfield St Mary’s and Shinfield Infant School on Thursday 7 November, Outdoor Classroom Day, to mark the official opening of the outdoor spaces. 

Both events consisted of nature-based activities that the children could enjoy, such as tree planting, conker creations, making wildflower seed bombs, and more.

Professor Helen Bilton, an expert in outdoor learning and play at the University’s Institute of Education, opened both events. She said: “It is vital for young children to have regular access to nature and the chance to learn through play. Learning outside a traditional classroom has many benefits for children, from physical, to psychological to social.

“It is fantastic the University has been able to provide these outdoor learning spaces, to help local school children enjoy nature and connect with it in a new way. It is important that we inspire younger generations to understand and care for nature, so that they can help nurture and protect it in the future.”

Yuan Yang MP, the representative for the Woodley and Earley constituency also attended the event at Shinfield St Mary's.

The outdoor classrooms also tie in with the University's commitment to the Department for Education's National Education Nature Park initiative, which encourages schools and school children to get more actively involved in understanding nature and biodiversity, particularly in relation to a changing climate. The University is developing additional opportunities for local school groups to access nature based learning on its estate. 

The University will continue to provide ongoing maintenance to both outdoor learning spaces.