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Training & Resources

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The Muddy Puddle Teacher

Outdoor Learning Consultation

Bespoke Year-Long Outdoor Learning Consultation

This Bespoke Year-Long Outdoor Learning Consultation is designed to provide tailored support for schools and educational settings to implement, refine, and sustain impactful outdoor learning practices. Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher (MPT) approach, this program ensures a holistic transformation, aligning outdoor learning with curriculum goals, school ethos, and community engagement.

Program Costs

Program Goals

  1. Provide expert guidance to develop a whole-school outdoor learning strategy.
  2. Equip staff with tools and confidence to deliver curriculum-linked outdoor lessons.
  3. Create sustainable, adaptable outdoor learning environments.
  4. Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and environmental stewardship.
  5. Measure and evaluate the impact of outdoor learning initiatives throughout the year.

Program Structure

This year-long consultation is broken into three phases: Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation & Growth.

Phase 1: Planning (Months 1-3)

Initial Consultation

  • Objective: Understand the school’s vision, current practices, and specific challenges.
  • Activities:
    • On-site or virtual consultation with leadership and staff.
    • School audit of outdoor spaces and available resources.
    • Stakeholder input, including staff, students, and parents.
  • Deliverables:
    • A comprehensive report outlining current strengths and areas for development.
    • The initial action plan will be tailored to the school’s needs.

Whole-School Training Session

  • Objective: Build foundational knowledge of outdoor learning using the MPT approach.
  • Activities:
    • Full-day training session for all staff.
    • Focus on curriculum integration, inclusivity, and sustainability.
    • Hands-on outdoor activities and planning workshops.
  • Resources Provided:
    • Starter pack of outdoor lesson plans.
    • Risk assessment templates and seasonal activity guides.
    • Book a Discovery Call

Custom Strategy Development

  • Objective: Create a long-term outdoor learning strategy.
  • Activities:
    • Collaborative sessions to define school-wide goals and milestones.
    • Development of themed outdoor learning plans for each term.
    • Creation of a seasonal outdoor learning calendar.
  • Deliverables:
    • Detailed implementation plan for the year.

Phase 2: Implementation (Months 4-9)

On-Site Support

  • Objective: Provide hands-on guidance to embed outdoor learning practices.
  • Activities:
    • Monthly visits to support staff in delivering outdoor lessons.
    • Demonstration sessions tailored to specific subjects or key stages.
    • Mentoring and coaching for staff to build confidence.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Curriculum-linked outdoor activities.
    • Differentiation for SEND and EAL learners.
    • Sustainable use of natural and recycled resources.

Specialised Training Modules

  • Objective: Deepen staff expertise in targeted areas.
  • Topics Include:
    • Outdoor literacy and numeracy strategies.
    • Science experiments and environmental education outdoors.
    • Behaviour management and team-building in outdoor settings.
    • Risk management and adapting to weather changes.

Community Engagement

  • Objective: Involve the wider community in outdoor learning initiatives.
  • Activities:
    • Organize family outdoor learning workshops.
    • Develop partnerships with local organizations (e.g., wildlife trusts, libraries).
    • Host seasonal outdoor events (e.g., nature trails, eco-days).
    • Book a Discovery Call

Phase 3: Evaluation & Growth (Months 10-12)

Impact Assessment

  • Objective: Measure the success of the year-long program.
  • Activities:
    • Observation of outdoor lessons and activities.
    • Surveys and feedback from staff, students, and parents.
    • Review of student progress and engagement data.
  • Deliverables:
    • Comprehensive evaluation report with key achievements and areas for refinement.

Celebration and Future Planning

  • Objective: Celebrate successes and sustainability plan.
  • Activities:
    • End-of-year staff workshop to reflect and celebrate progress.
    • Creation of a sustainability plan for ongoing outdoor learning initiatives.
    • Recognition awards for staff and students excelling in outdoor learning.

Additional Benefits

  1. Access to Resources: Year-long access to Muddy Puddle Teacher online resources, including lesson plans, activity ideas, and risk management tools.
  2. Dedicated Support: A designated outdoor learning consultant is available for virtual check-ins and guidance throughout the year.
  3. Customizable Packages: Add-ons like student leadership training, additional staff workshops, or tailored eco-projects.
  4. Book a Discovery Call

 

The Importance of Outdoor Learning Consultancy: Transforming Education Through Nature

Outdoor learning is more than just a trend—it’s a powerful educational approach that fosters creativity, resilience, and real-world skills. However, implementing outdoor learning across a school or setting can be complex. This is where outdoor learning consultancy plays a crucial role, offering tailored guidance, training, and support to help schools unlock the full potential of outdoor education.

This blog will explore why outdoor learning consultancy is so important and how it can transform teaching and learning.

1. Tailored Strategies for Success

Every school is unique, with different spaces, student needs, and curriculum goals. Outdoor learning consultancy provides customized strategies that align with your setting’s specific challenges and opportunities. Consultants evaluate outdoor spaces, identify strengths, and design practical solutions that maximize learning potential (Edutopia).

2. Empowering Educators

One of the biggest barriers to outdoor learning is educator confidence. A consultancy program equips staff with the knowledge and skills to deliver engaging, curriculum-linked lessons outdoors. From risk management to creative lesson planning, consultants ensure teachers feel empowered and supported (Learning Through Landscapes).

3. Aligning Outdoor Learning with the Curriculum

Outdoor learning is not a break from the curriculum—it’s an opportunity to enhance it. Consultants help schools integrate outdoor activities into core subjects like maths, literacy, and science, making lessons more engaging and meaningful. For example, students can practice measuring and rounding using natural objects or explore habitats to learn about ecosystems (BBC Bitesize).

4. Fostering Environmental Stewardship

Outdoor learning consultancy emphasizes sustainability and environmental awareness. By guiding schools to use natural and recycled materials, consultancies help foster a sense of responsibility for the planet. Students learn to care for their environment by planting gardens, building bug hotels, and participating in conservation projects (WWF UK Education Resources).

5. Measuring Impact and Building Sustainability

A consultancy doesn’t just provide a plan—it measures progress and helps schools sustain their outdoor learning initiatives. Through observation, feedback, and evaluation, consultants ensure that outdoor learning becomes a lasting part of school culture. They also support schools in engaging parents, local organizations, and the wider community to create a shared vision for outdoor education (Muddy Puddle Teacher).