Rowdeford's Outdoor Learning Vision
'Growing Sustainable Futures'

The Outdoor Learning Programme

The Outdoor Learning Programme aims to open doors to rewarding and sustainable futures in the community and workplaces for young people  with special needs.  To achieve this goal we are striving to become a hub for outdoor and environmental learning which breaks down barriers between people with special needs, the wider community and workplaces.
For further information please contact lotc@rowdeford.wilts.sch.uk

Tree Awards

Learning Outside the Classroom is recognised by Rowdeford School as an essential way of bringing teaching and learning alive across all areas of the curriculum. Learning in real and inspiring environments increases levels of achievement in academic, personal and social abilities. Bringing learning alive, in a wide variety of settings, increases students' motivation and their ability to transfer learning from school to the wider world. All students at Rowdeford School learn outside, either in the extensive grounds or in the community, at least once every week. Rowdeford School believes that these experiences are most valuable as part of a planned progression of learning woven into all curriculum areas. Rowdeford School Tree Awards are one of the ways we achieve this. The awards recognise student achievements in practical outdoor skills, as well as in the areas of co-operation, communication, resilience, independence and problem solving. They link directly to National Curriculum levels in English, Maths and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and closely to other curriculum areas.

Eco Code

Click image to enlarge

Outcomes and Roots

Sustainable Outdoor Skills

​Learning is hands on.  We learn about the outdoor environment whilst learning practical skills such as horticulture, conservation and woodland survival.

​Managing Self

Working outdoors helps us to learn more about ourselves.  We grow in confidence, learn to set goals and tackle challenges calmly and learn to be more positive.

Communication and Social Interaction

Working with other people to achieve team tasks and solve challenges gives us opportunities to learn and practice communication and social skills and to trust and get on with other people better.

​Community Participation

We experience how good it feels to do things with other people and to help make the world around us a better place.  We also learn how to look after ourselves and stay safe so that we want to and can do more in our community.

​Our Roots

​Our beliefs about what is important and should define our approach.

​Inspirational Setting

​The relevance of outcomes is enhanced through direct engagement with our inspiring grounds, woodlands and Victorian walled gardens.

Student Centred

Students are actively involved in defining their own learning which is based on their real world aspirations, capabilities and needs.  We aim to be responsive to the diverse and holistic needs of students either directly or by working with partner organisations.

​Positive

​The Eco-Learning Centre is a positive and supportive environment where students feel safe to challenge themselves and take risks, and where failure is seen as an opportunity to learn.

​Inclusive

​We actively seek opportunities for people of different abilities to work together, develop tolerance and understanding, and to learn from each other.

Collaborative

​We recognise that we are one step in a student’s personal pathway.  We therefore believe in working collaboratively with others, including potential employers, to maximise opportunities for students’ current and future success and in kindling students’ desire to go on and achieve.

​Evidenced

We choose our approaches based on solid evidence and as a team we are constantly seeking to learn more.  Student outcomes are regularly measured and evaluated ensuring that students, staff and external partners are able to clearly see progress and achievements.

Future Plans

Here is our new
​Outdoor Centre Build