** Please note the change in time all Junior School Outdoor Learning sessions. **
Year 3 is now Tuesday afternoons.
Year 4 is now on Tuesday mornings.
Year 5 is now on Wednesday mornings.
Year 6 is now on Wednesday afternoons.
Wednesday, 16th January - 6E's winter session begins.
Clothing for Winter Sessions
Please ensure your student has appropriate footwear and enough warm layers to wear for their outdoor learning sessions, as well as a winter hat and mittens or gloves. As we are expecting colder weather an additional base layer beneath their trousers, such as leggings, thermals, long underwear or tights, is strongly recommended. Inexpensive leggings can be purchased from Asda, Primark or H&M and will be effective at keeping out the winter chill.
Overview and Session Schedule
At the Mount Stewart Schools we are extremely fortunate to have such a large outdoor space for learning. By allowing children the freedom to be outside, we reinforce their emotional well-being, which in turn provides them with the skills to better navigate the world around them. Learning outdoors also contributes to personal, social, and emotional development, increasing resilience and developing healthy habits and attitudes. We know that active children perform better in school and later in life, and studies have shown that children undertaking fieldwork activities across subjects achieved higher literacy scores than students who did not.
Our outdoor learning sessions provide students with learning opportunities through practical activities in all seasons and weather. Sessions are designed for students to learn in a safe environment, while learning to assess risk and developing the ability to respond to new situations.
Each half-term a different class in each Year 3,4, and 5 class will take part in Outdoor Learning sessions. Year 6 will have 4-5 week sessions. Each class will have two blocks of sessions over the course of the year to experience the different seasons. Please refer to the timetable below for your class and for the list of clothing your student will need for their session.
Year 3-5
|
|
Year 3 Tuesday afternoons |
Year 4 Tuesday mornings |
Year 5 Wednesday mornings |
|
Autumn 1st half term |
3M |
4M |
5M |
|
Autumn 2nd half term |
3S |
4S |
5S |
|
End of Term break |
|||
|
Spring 1st half term |
3J |
4J |
5J |
|
Spring 2nd half term |
3M |
4M |
5M |
|
End of Term break |
|||
|
Summer 1st half term |
3S |
4S |
5S |
|
Summer 2nd half term |
3J |
4J |
5J |
Year 6
|
Date |
Class Wednesday afternoons |
|
14.9.18 – 12.10.18 (5 weeks) |
6M |
|
19.10.18 – 23.11.18 (5 weeks) |
6S |
|
27.11.18 - |
6J |
|
End of Term Break |
|
|
- 8.1.19 (5 weeks) |
6J |
|
16.1.19 – 13.2.19 (5 weeks) |
6E |
|
27.2.19 – 20.3.19 (4 weeks) |
6M |
|
End of Term Break |
|
|
27.3.19 – 1.5.19 (4 weeks) |
6S |
|
8.5.19 – 12.6.19 (4 weeks) |
6J |
|
19.6.19 – 10.7.19 (4 weeks) |
6E |
Clothing
Morning sessions (Year 4 and 5)
Please ensure your student comes to school dressed in their Outdoor Learning clothing. They will need to bring their uniform and school shoes to change into before lunch.
Afternoon sessions (Year 3 and 6)
Your student will come to school dressed in their school uniform. Please ensure they have their Outdoor Learning clothing and shoes/wellies in a bag to change into after lunch.
Clothing List -