Course Summary
Build your confidence in taking primary curriculum learning outdoors with this practical and achievable starter course.
The course will introduce you to simple ways of teaching outdoors across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 using movement, natural materials and low-cost reusable resources.
You will discover how outdoor learning can support engagement, communication, wellbeing and memorable curriculum experiences without creating additional workload or requiring a Forest School qualification.
The focus is on realistic ideas that can be used in playgrounds, school grounds and small outdoor spaces.
Course Level
Level 1: Starter Course
Ideal for primary teachers, teaching assistants and school staff who are new to outdoor learning or would like simple, practical ideas to strengthen their current provision.
No previous outdoor learning experience is required.
Time to Complete
Complete the course online and work through each module at your own pace.
You can pause, revisit the training and try the practical tasks in your own school as you progress.
What’s Included?
Practical outdoor learning training videos
Simple curriculum-linked activity demonstrations
Ideas for teaching KS1 and KS2 outdoors
Activities using natural and reusable resources
Guidance for using playgrounds and school grounds
Support for reducing planning and preparation time
Strategies for managing classes outdoors
Ideas for supporting different ages and abilities
Reflective tasks to try in your own setting
Downloadable prompts and practical planning support
A CPD certificate on completion
Upgrade to a Gold Account to Access this Course
Module Content
Module 1: What Is Outdoor Learning?
Explore what outdoor learning means in a primary school and how it differs from Forest School, outdoor play and school trips.
Learn how everyday curriculum lessons can be taught outside in simple and purposeful ways.
Module 2: Why Take Learning Outdoors?
Discover how outdoor learning can support children’s engagement, physical activity, communication, confidence, creativity and emotional wellbeing.
Explore how outdoor experiences can help make curriculum learning more meaningful and memorable.
Module 3: Getting Started with the Space You Have
Learn how to make effective use of playgrounds, yards, fields, pathways and small school grounds.
Discover how to identify useful teaching areas without needing to redesign your outdoor space.
Module 4: Your Essential Outdoor Toolkit
Explore a simple outdoor learning toolkit using items such as hoops, cones, chalk, rope, number cards, clipboards and natural materials.
Learn how a small collection of reusable resources can support learning across several curriculum subjects.
Module 5: Managing a Class Outdoors
Develop practical routines for taking children outside, gaining attention, organising groups, setting boundaries and returning indoors calmly.
Explore ways to make expectations clear while still allowing children to move, investigate and collaborate.
Module 6: Teaching Maths Outdoors
Discover simple ways to teach number, calculation, shape, measure, pattern and problem-solving through movement and practical activities.
Learn how to adapt outdoor maths ideas for different year groups and abilities.
Module 7: Teaching English Outdoors
Explore outdoor approaches to phonics, spelling, vocabulary, storytelling, poetry, reading and writing.
Learn how outdoor experiences can generate purposeful talk and provide children with meaningful ideas to write about.
Module 8: Taking the Wider Curriculum Outdoors
Discover simple outdoor activities for science, geography, history, art, design technology and personal development.
Explore how one outdoor experience can support several curriculum outcomes.
Module 9: Supporting SEND Outdoors
Learn how outdoor learning can support movement, regulation, communication and engagement for children with additional needs.
Explore simple adaptations involving sensory needs, instructions, resources, groupings and physical access.
Module 10: Planning Your First Outdoor Lesson
Use a simple planning structure to prepare an outdoor curriculum lesson for your class.
Identify the learning objective, space, resources, routines, adaptations and follow-up learning needed.
Upgrade to a Gold Account to Access this Course
Who Is This Course For?
Primary school teachers
ECTs and trainee teachers
Teaching assistants
Higher-level teaching assistants
SEND practitioners
Curriculum leaders
Outdoor learning coordinators
Supply teachers
Home educators
Anyone who wants to begin teaching the primary curriculum outdoors
What Will You Learn?
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Understand the purpose and benefits of outdoor learning
Identify realistic opportunities within your school grounds
Use a simple collection of reusable outdoor resources
Manage primary-aged children safely and confidently outdoors
Teach practical maths and English activities outside
Extend outdoor learning across the wider curriculum
Adapt activities for different ages, abilities and needs
Reduce reliance on worksheets and printed resources
Plan and deliver your first outdoor curriculum lesson
Start Teaching Outdoors with Confidence
You do not need a woodland, a large budget or hours of additional planning to begin outdoor learning.
This Level 1 course will give you simple strategies, practical ideas and the confidence to take your first steps outside.
Start with one lesson, use the space and resources you already have, and discover how outdoor learning can bring the primary curriculum to life.
