Outdoor Studies

‘‘Developing physically and mentally healthy pupils with a love of the outdoors and wild spaces. Pupils feel self-assured in their capabilities to carve lives of exploration in their own unique fields, creating happy and fulfilling futures.” 

At The Keystone academy, we recognise the positive value of being active, outdoor citizens. (Understanding the relationship between time spent outdoors, mental well-being and health-related behaviours in a Spanish sample: A real time smartphone-based study – ScienceDirect). All our pupils participate in 2 hours of Forest School or Outdoor Studies each week, including time in our Forest School Area or visits off-site to the beautiful Shropshire Hills and nature spaces in and around Shrewsbury. At times, the Outdoor Studies team, are joined by our Counsellor, initiating walking, talking therapy.  

We have developed a Head, Hearts and Hands curriculum, where communication, collaboration, knowledge and self-regulation skills are recognised and developed.  

Many of the skills required in the science and geography curricular are embedded through Outdoor Studies. For example, students will study habitats, observe weather and seasonal changes and learn map skills. Pupils have opportunities to contribute to the local environment by working with Rangers, planting trees or litter picking. Older pupils also get the opportunity to complete a Duke of Edinburgh expedition, developing resilience when faced with challenge.  

Forest Studies 

Here at the Keystone Academy, we run weekly Forest School sessions within the Primary section of the school. We have a dedicated outdoor space currently in development with a multitude of young trees planted by staff and students alike as well as a sheltered seating area and a large natural grassy space to explore.  We seek to plan and offer adult-led activities often linked to in class topics and curriculums while following the children’s interests and developments as we explore and learn about the natural world around us, including some risk taking, while we also follow the children’s lead with their own individual and unique ways of learning. 

Click the overviews below to see our planning documents