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Outdoor Education

I wish the world was twice as big - and half of it was still unexplored.

-David Attenborough

At Hollinwood Academy, we truly understand the significance of community access. We firmly believe that all children and young people, regardless of their individual pathway, should have the opportunity, confidence, and appropriate support to safely explore their local community. This belief is reflected in our exciting Outdoor Education curriculum, which offers weekly opportunities for children and young people to engage with their surroundings.

Our primary aim is to provide equal opportunities to all learners through a wide and varied curriculum that not only expands their knowledge but also nurtures their confidence and self-esteem within the realm of Outdoor Education. By motivating children and young people to fully engage in this curriculum, we aim to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, resulting in positive self-esteem and overall well-being. Through the experiences gained in Outdoor Education, children and young people will develop an understanding of the positive impact exercise can have on their health and bodies.

Furthermore, our Outdoor Education program is designed to support all children and young people, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance and opportunities to enhance their confidence while accessing their local community. We strongly believe that outdoor education can be a powerful tool to positively influence children and young people mental health and overall well-being.

At Hollinwood Academy, our ultimate goal is for all children and young people to succeed and achieve. We believe that through our Outdoor Education curriculum, children and young people will not only develop important life skills but also forge meaningful connections with their peers and community. Friendships, relationships, and being part of the community are integral to everyone's quality of life, which is why our outdoor education curriculum actively supports children and young people in building and maintaining these valuable connections.

Hollinwood Academy's Outdoor Education curriculum strives to provide each children and young people with an enriching experience, ensuring they feel safe, confident, and prepared to navigate their local community. With our unwavering commitment to "Learning Together, Learning For All, Learning For Life," we aim to equip our children and young people with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful transition into adulthood.

Outdoor Education lessons at Hollinwood Academy

Our curriculum is designed to develop children and young people’s communication skills, foster independence, deepen their community knowledge, and enhance their confidence within the local environment.

To achieve these objectives, we ensure that children and young people have frequent opportunities to engage with the local community. Through our Outdoor Education lessons, they get to explore local parks, visit cafes and supermarkets, and access leisure facilities on a weekly basis.

By immersing our students in real-life experiences, we enable them to gain practical knowledge and understand the relevance of their learning. This approach not only supports academic development but also promotes social skills, problem-solving abilities, and a sense of belonging within their immediate surroundings.

At Hollinwood Academy, we are dedicated to providing a well-rounded education that prepares our children and young people for their future roles as active and engaged members of society. Our Outdoor Education curriculum plays a vital role in achieving this goal.

Schemes of Work

We aim to provide a stimulating, interactive, and challenging curriculum that is delivered in a way that best suits the diverse learning needs of our children and young people. Our curriculum incorporates a variety of schemes of work, allowing them to explore different environments that promote exploration, communication, money management, community safety, and enhance their overall health and well-being. Through our Outdoor Education curriculum, children and young people will have the opportunity to access local parks, cafes, supermarkets, and leisure facilities.

Teaching and learning at Hollinwood Academy is rooted in accurate assessment and a deep understanding of each learner’s needs. Our schemes of work are constantly adapted to meet these needs and are regularly reviewed. Lessons are well-paced and provide opportunities for independent and shared activities, utilising various strategies and styles, including multi-sensory and kinaesthetic approaches.

Within our Outdoor Education curriculum, underpinned with the Autism Progression Framework to assess the progress of our children and young people. This framework enables our teachers and education professionals to identify learning priorities and measure progress in areas that fall outside the national curriculum. These areas are closely related to autism 'differences' as identified within other AET resources and their impact on social, emotional, independence, and learning needs.

To learn more about the AET Priorities Framework and its implementation in our school, please visit: https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/

Curriculum Adaptations and Pedagogy

The curriculum adaptations and pedagogy at Hollinwood Academy is centered around meeting the unique needs and abilities of every learner, ensuring equal opportunities for academic, personal, and social development. The primary goals include:

1. Inclusivity: Adapt the curriculum to ensure that all learners have access to quality education, regardless of their individual needs.

2. Adaptive Teaching: Provide personalised learning experiences that cater to the diverse abilities, interests, and learning styles of the children and young people.

3. Progression: Foster a holistic and sequential approach to learning, allowing children and young people to build on their prior knowledge, skills, and understanding from their identified starting points.

4. Empowerment: Develop independent learners who are equipped with the skills, resilience, and self-confidence required to succeed academically and, in their future lives.
Curriculum Adaptations and Pedagogy

Assessment

At Hollinwood Academy, we place great importance on Outdoor Education assessments. In line with our approach, children and young people’s evidence and progress are recorded on a weekly basis using the Evidence for Learning platform. To cater to each individual's needs, children and young people are assigned specific targets taken from the Autism Educational Trust Progression framework.

To ensure personalised support, we have designed individualised outdoor education progress targets for every child and young person. These targets are closely monitored, and we maintain a strong partnership with parents by sharing them on a termly basis through Arbor, our digital communication platform. By adopting this approach, we aim to provide comprehensive support and track the progress of our children and young people effectively.

Technology & Websites

We believe in the power of technology to enhance learning, and we have made it an integral part of our outdoor education curriculum at Hollinwood Academy. Within the primary stage, we embrace the use of iPads and other technological tools, ensuring all children and young people actively engage with their learning.

In our outdoor education lessons, children and young people are taught to use TD Snap as a means to support communication within the community. This technology enables our children and young people to effectively communicate and engage with their peers, teachers, and the wider community. By incorporating technology into our outdoor education curriculum, we aim to provide children and young people with essential digital skills that will contribute to their overall development.

Our use of technology in outdoor education not only enhances learning experiences but also equips our children and young people with valuable tools for communication and collaboration. We are dedicated to fostering creativity, curiosity, and confidence in our children and young people through the integration of technology in their outdoor learning journey.
uk.tobiidynavox.com/pages/td-snap

Hollinwood Academy