Outdoor Learning Workshops for Schools: The Complete Guide

Outdoor learning workshops give teachers and Early Years practitioners practical ways to take learning beyond the classroom.

A strong workshop should do more than explain why outdoor learning matters. It should show staff what to do, how to do it, what resources they need and how the ideas connect to the curriculum.

Whether a school is looking for an outdoor maths workshop, outdoor English training, outdoor play support, SEND-focused training or a whole-school introduction to outdoor learning, the best workshops should leave staff feeling more confident and ready to put ideas into practice.

This complete guide explains what outdoor learning workshops involve, who they are for, what subjects can be covered and how schools can choose the right training for their staff. New to Outdoor Learning?  Try reading this article to get an understanding of what this looks like in school settings? Beginners Guide to Outdoor Learning. 

Why Do Schools Book Outdoor Learning Workshops?

Schools usually book outdoor learning workshops because staff want more confidence, more practical ideas or a clearer whole-school approach.

Some schools already take children outside but feel that the learning lacks structure.

Others have good outdoor spaces but are unsure how to connect them to the curriculum.

Some settings want to improve outdoor play, continuous provision or SEND support.

Others want fresh ideas for maths, English, science, geography, phonics or wellbeing.

A workshop can help staff move away from one-off outdoor activities and towards purposeful teaching.

It can also help a school create shared expectations, consistent language and a more sustainable approach.

The aim is not to ask teachers to plan more.

The aim is to help them use the space, resources and curriculum they already have more effectively.

Sign Up For Your FREE Outdoor Learning Magazine

Our free weekly Muddy Puddle Teacher Magazine is a brilliant starting point if you want regular outdoor learning ideas without feeling overwhelmed.

Each week, the magazine shares topical and seasonal inspiration for Early Years, KS1, KS2, SEND, Forest School and home settings. It is designed to give you simple ideas you can use in the week ahead, linked to what is happening in the season, the weather, special days, nature, school life and children’s interests.

The magazine is perfect for teachers who want quick outdoor learning ideas, childminders looking for fresh inspiration, parents wanting weekend and holiday activities, home educators planning nature-based learning and Forest School leaders wanting seasonal prompts. 

Sign up for the free magazine and start building outdoor learning into your week.

What Subjects Can Be Covered?

Make a Start Today, SENDCO- Created Interventions & Programmes 

Outdoor Learning Workshops Prices

Our much-loved workshops are cost-effective and impactful.  We have trainers available throughout the UK and Europe.  Please get in touch to check out availability and to tailor the training to your settings & staff needs. Email us at info@themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk or call an on-call teacher on 07530645492

Outdoor Science Workshops

Outdoor Play Workshops

Outdoor Learning Workshops for Early Years

Early Years workshops often focus on communication, language, physical development, play, literacy, maths and understanding the world.

The training should recognise that outdoor learning is not separate from the Early Years curriculum.

It is one of the places where the curriculum is experienced.

Practitioners may explore how to improve free-flow provision, develop language, create purposeful mark-making and support child-led learning.

Workshops can also address the balance between adult-led teaching and independent exploration.

Outdoor Learning Workshops for KS2

Outdoor learning workshops are not only for younger children.

KS2 staff can use outdoor spaces for deeper reasoning, discussion, investigation, fieldwork and extended writing.

Outdoor Training for KS2 may include outdoor maths challenges, science enquiries, geography fieldwork, debate, poetry, grammar and collaborative problem-solving.

The intellectual challenge should remain high.

The outdoors should be used because it strengthens the learning, not because the activity looks more exciting.

Outdoor Learning Workshops for Special Schools and Alternative Provision

Outdoor learning can be particularly valuable in special schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision.

However, the training must reflect the needs of the setting.

Staff may need practical approaches for regulation, engagement, communication, sensory needs and flexible curriculum delivery.

The workshop should avoid assuming that one approach will suit every learner.

It should help staff use outdoor spaces safely, predictably and purposefully.

Training can be adapted around the age, needs and interests of the children. If you would like to learn more about what our approach looks like for SEND learners, visit the Beginners Guide to SEND Outdoors. 

Outdoor Learning Workshops FAQs for Primary Schools

What is an outdoor learning workshop?

An outdoor learning workshop is a practical professional-development session that helps teachers and education professionals use outdoor spaces more effectively for teaching, learning and play.

A good workshop should give staff realistic activities to try, explain how the ideas connect to the curriculum and help teachers understand how to organise and manage outdoor learning successfully.

Who are outdoor learning workshops for?

Outdoor learning workshops can be suitable for teachers, teaching assistants, Early Years practitioners, nursery staff, childminders, SEND practitioners, wraparound-care teams, lunchtime supervisors and school leaders.

Training can be adapted for mainstream schools, special schools, alternative provision, pupil referral units, nurseries and other educational settings.

Are the workshops suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. Outdoor learning workshops can be designed for staff who have little or no previous experience of teaching outdoors.

The training can introduce simple routines, low-cost resources and practical activities that staff can use in familiar outdoor spaces.

Participants do not need to have completed Forest School training.

Are workshops suitable for experienced outdoor-learning practitioners?

Yes. More experienced staff may use a workshop to develop a particular curriculum area, strengthen progression or introduce a more consistent whole-school approach.

Training can also help practitioners refresh their ideas, evaluate existing practice and explore ways of improving outdoor learning without creating additional workload.

Are outdoor learning workshops suitable for Early Years?

Outdoor learning workshops can be particularly valuable for Nursery and Reception teams.

Early Years training may cover communication and language, literacy, early maths, physical development, outdoor play, continuous provision, sensory learning and understanding the world.

The workshop can also explore the balance between adult-led learning and child-initiated play.

Are the workshops suitable for KS1 teachers?

Yes. KS1 workshops can help teachers retain practical and active approaches while maintaining clear curriculum expectations.

Training may include phonics, storytelling, writing, maths, science, geography and purposeful continuous provision.

Activities can be adapted for Years 1 and 2 and linked to age-appropriate learning outcomes.

Are outdoor learning workshops suitable for KS2?

Outdoor learning is not only suitable for younger children.

KS2 workshops can explore outdoor maths reasoning, science investigations, geography fieldwork, reading, writing, grammar, poetry, debate and collaborative problem-solving.

The outdoor activity should increase depth, discussion and application rather than reduce academic challenge.

Are the workshops suitable for teaching assistants?

Teaching assistants can benefit greatly from attending outdoor learning training.

They may support small groups, model vocabulary, adapt activities, help children follow routines and assist pupils with additional needs.

Training the whole staff team together can help everyone use consistent expectations and approaches.

Are workshops suitable for school leaders?

Yes. Headteachers, deputy heads, curriculum leaders, Early Years leaders and SENDCOs can attend.

Leadership teams may find workshops useful when developing a whole-school approach, improving staff confidence, reviewing curriculum provision or deciding how outdoor learning will be implemented sustainably.

Can nursery staff attend?

Yes. Outdoor learning workshops can be adapted for private nurseries, maintained nurseries, pre-schools and school-based Early Years teams.

Training can focus on play, language development, physical development, outdoor continuous provision and the role of the adult.

Can childminders book a workshop?

Yes. Childminders may attend an open workshop or arrange group training with other local practitioners.

Ideas can be adapted for gardens, yards, local parks and other everyday spaces used by small groups of children.

Are the workshops suitable for wraparound-care teams?

Outdoor play workshops can be useful for breakfast-club, after-school-club and holiday-club staff.

Training may explore low-cost play ideas, loose parts, physical activity, creativity, independence, social interaction and ways to engage older primary-aged children.

Are outdoor learning workshops suitable for lunchtime supervisors?

Yes. A workshop can help lunchtime teams develop richer outdoor play while maintaining clear boundaries and manageable routines.

The training may include playground organisation, inclusive play, communication, conflict reduction, loose parts and the role of the adult.

Are workshops suitable for SEND schools?

Yes. Training can be adapted for special schools and specialist settings.

A SEND-focused workshop may include visual support, predictable routines, sensory considerations, communication, regulation, transitions, accessible resources and differentiated activities.

The content should reflect the specific needs of the children and staff attending.

Can alternative provision and pupil referral units book training?

Yes. Outdoor learning workshops can be adapted for alternative provision and pupil referral units.

Training may focus on engagement, communication, regulation, practical curriculum delivery, wellbeing and flexible approaches for pupils who may find conventional classroom learning difficult.

Can a mixed staff team attend?

Yes. A workshop can be delivered to teachers, support staff and leaders together.

The content can include ideas that are adaptable across different year groups and roles while helping the school establish shared language and routines.

Can staff from EYFS, KS1 and KS2 attend the same workshop?

Yes. A whole-primary workshop can include examples for all three phases.

The trainer can demonstrate how one principle or resource may be adapted from Early Years through to upper KS2.

For more detailed curriculum training, a school may prefer separate phase-specific sessions.

Can special-school and mainstream staff attend together?

Yes, particularly when the training has been designed to include a range of needs and settings.

The trainer should make clear how activities can be adapted and avoid assuming that one approach will suit every pupil.

What subjects can an outdoor learning workshop cover?

Workshops can focus on outdoor maths, English, SPaG, phonics, science, geography, outdoor play, outdoor continuous provision, SEND, communication and language, wellbeing and wider curriculum development.

Schools can select the subject area that best matches their current priorities.

Can we book an outdoor maths workshop?

Yes. An outdoor maths workshop can cover number, calculation, shape, measure, statistics, reasoning and problem-solving.

Staff can explore ways of using movement, school grounds and simple reusable equipment to make mathematical concepts more visible and practical.

Can we book an outdoor English workshop?

Yes. Outdoor English training can include speaking and listening, storytelling, reading, writing, vocabulary, poetry, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

The workshop can be adapted for EYFS, KS1, KS2 or a whole-primary audience.

Can we book an outdoor phonics workshop?

Yes. Outdoor phonics workshops should reinforce the systematic synthetic phonics programme already used by the school.

Training may include grapheme recognition, oral blending, segmenting, word building, reading and spelling activities.

The aim is to strengthen accurate phonics teaching rather than introduce a competing approach.

Can we book an outdoor SPaG workshop?

Yes. An outdoor SPaG workshop can show teachers how to teach spelling, punctuation and grammar through practical sentence building, sorting, editing and investigation.

Activities should remain focused on understanding and application rather than becoming simple running games.

Can we book an outdoor science workshop?

Yes. Outdoor science training can help teachers use the school grounds for observation, enquiry and investigation.

Topics might include plants, habitats, living things, materials, forces, weather, seasonal change, light and shadows.

Can we book an outdoor geography workshop?

Yes. An outdoor geography workshop may include mapping, direction, routes, positional language, fieldwork, weather, land use and environmental observation.

The school grounds can become the first fieldwork location children learn to investigate.

Can we book an outdoor play workshop?

Yes. Outdoor play training can cover loose parts, physical challenge, imaginative play, sensory experiences, construction, independence and social development.

It can also help adults understand when to join children’s play, when to support it and when to step back.

Can we book an outdoor continuous provision workshop?

Yes. Outdoor continuous provision training can help Early Years teams create spaces that children access regularly and independently.

The workshop may cover construction, mark-making, maths, water, mud kitchens, role play, investigation, reading, loose parts, enhancements and adult interaction.

Can we book a SEND-focused outdoor learning workshop?

Yes. SEND training can explore communication, regulation, sensory needs, visual support, accessible activities, routines and transitions.

The session can be tailored around the children and needs within the setting.

Can we request a wellbeing workshop?

Yes. Outdoor wellbeing training may explore movement, connection, play, regulation, communication and practical ways to support children’s emotional development.

It should complement the school’s wider wellbeing provision rather than replace specialist support.

Can we request a workshop about behaviour outdoors?

Yes. Behaviour and outdoor-learning training can cover routines, boundaries, stop signals, transitions, organisation and keeping learning purposeful.

The workshop may also explore how the design of an activity can reduce waiting, confusion and disengagement.

Can we combine two subjects in one workshop?

Yes. A two-hour workshop can be divided into two subject areas, with approximately one hour dedicated to each.

For example, a school might combine outdoor maths with outdoor English, or outdoor phonics with outdoor play.

How many subjects should we cover in a one-hour workshop?

A one-hour workshop normally works best when it focuses on one subject or clearly defined area.

Trying to include too many topics can make the session rushed and leave insufficient time for practical examples.

How long is a workshop?

The Muddy Puddle Teacher® currently offers one-hour and two-hour workshop options.

A school may use a workshop as a twilight session, part of an INSET day or a focused professional-development event.

How much does a one-hour workshop cost?

A one-hour outdoor learning workshop costs £200, including VAT.

The session focuses on one selected subject area.

How much does a two-hour workshop cost?

A two-hour outdoor learning workshop costs £300, including VAT.

The session can cover two subject areas, with approximately one hour dedicated to each.

Is VAT included in the price?

Yes. The advertised one-hour and two-hour workshop prices include VAT.

Schools should confirm any additional arrangements when requesting a quotation.

Is travel included in the workshop price?

Travel arrangements may depend on the school’s location, the trainer available and whether the session is delivered in person or online.

Schools should request a full quotation before booking so that all costs are clear.

Are workshops available throughout the UK?

The Muddy Puddle Teacher® has trainers available across the UK and Europe, subject to location and availability.

Schools should provide their location and preferred dates when making an enquiry.

Can workshops be delivered in Europe?

Training may be available for schools and education organisations in Europe.

The delivery format, travel arrangements and costs should be discussed when requesting availability.

Can a workshop be delivered online?

Yes. Workshops can be delivered live online.

An online workshop can be a practical and affordable option for staff teams that cannot arrange in-person training.

Can a workshop be delivered in person?

Yes. In-person workshops can be delivered at a school, nursery, education venue or suitable outdoor space, depending on trainer availability and location.

What is the difference between an online workshop and a webinar?

The terms may overlap, but an online workshop is usually designed to include more interaction, discussion or practical participation.

A webinar may be more presentation-led.

Schools should check the planned format when booking.

What is the difference between a workshop and an INSET day?

A workshop is usually a shorter, focused session lasting one or two hours.

An INSET training day is longer and can cover several areas in greater depth, include more practical participation and allow time for planning and reflection.

Should we choose a workshop or a full INSET day?

A workshop may be best when the school has one focused priority, limited training time or a smaller budget.

A full INSET day may be more appropriate when the school wants significant practical training, whole-school planning or support across several curriculum areas.

Can a workshop form part of an INSET day?

Yes. A school can include a one-hour or two-hour workshop within a wider INSET programme.

The session could be followed by departmental planning, phase discussions or time for staff to adapt ideas.

Can workshops be delivered as twilight training?

Yes. One-hour and two-hour workshops can work well as after-school or twilight professional development.

The date and start time will depend on trainer availability.

Can a workshop be delivered during a staff meeting?

A one-hour workshop may be suitable for an extended staff meeting.

Schools should ensure that enough time is available for explanation, examples and questions.

Can training take place during the school day?

Yes. Workshops may be delivered during an INSET day, planning day or other allocated professional-development time.

Can we split a two-hour workshop into two shorter sessions?

This may be possible, depending on the agreed format and trainer availability.

Schools should discuss this requirement before confirming the booking.

Can we book a series of workshops?

Yes. A school might arrange a programme covering several subjects or phases over time.

A series of workshops can support gradual implementation and give staff opportunities to try ideas between sessions.

Can multi-academy trusts book workshops?

Yes. Multi-academy trusts may commission training for staff from several schools.

The organiser should provide information about staff numbers, phases, venues and intended outcomes.

Can local authorities commission workshops?

Yes. Workshops can be delivered for councils, local authorities, teaching-school hubs and groups of education settings.

Training can be designed around a shared priority or particular staff group.

Can a group of schools book together?

Yes. Several schools may arrange a joint workshop at one venue or online.

The booking organisation should confirm expected numbers and participating settings.

Can nurseries book as a cluster?

Yes. Nursery groups, early-years networks and childminding groups can arrange joint training.

The content can be adapted to the needs of the practitioners attending.

How many staff can attend?

The number of participants may depend on the venue, workshop format and whether the training is online or in person.

Schools should provide an estimated number of attendees when requesting availability.

Is there a minimum number of staff?

A school can enquire about training for a small or large staff group.

The workshop fee is generally based on the session rather than requiring every place to be filled.

Can several schools share the cost?

Schools may arrange a joint booking and agree how the cost will be divided between them.

One organisation should act as the main booking and finance contact.

Will the workshop be tailored to our setting?

The content can be tailored according to the subject, age range, staff group and needs of the setting.

Schools should explain what they want staff to learn and any particular challenges they would like addressed.

What information should we provide before the workshop?

It is helpful to provide the type of setting, age ranges, number of staff, chosen subject, available outdoor space and current level of experience.

Schools may also wish to explain any specific concerns around SEND, behaviour, curriculum planning or staff confidence.

Can the trainer look at our outdoor space?

During an in-person session, it may be possible to use or discuss the school’s outdoor space.

Schools seeking detailed site development or environmental design advice may need a more extensive consultancy or INSET package.

Do we need a large outdoor space?

No. Training can be designed for ordinary playgrounds, yards, courtyards, fields and small outdoor areas.

A woodland is not required.

Will the ideas work on a tarmac playground?

Yes. Many outdoor-learning activities can use chalk, hoops, rope, cones, cards, walls, fences and playground markings.

Schools do not need grass or natural areas for every activity.

Will the ideas work in an urban school?

Yes. Outdoor learning can be delivered effectively in urban schools with paved or limited outdoor spaces.

The workshop should demonstrate how to use the environment the school already has.

Do we need a Forest School area?

No. Curriculum-based outdoor learning is different from Forest School.

Schools can teach outdoors successfully using playgrounds, yards, fields and courtyards.

Do staff need Forest School qualifications?

Staff do not normally need Forest School qualifications to deliver ordinary curriculum lessons in their own school grounds.

They should follow school policies, safeguarding procedures and risk-assessment expectations.

Do we need expensive equipment?

No. Workshops focus on using simple, low-cost and reusable resources.

These may include hoops, cones, rope, chalk, clipboards, buckets, cards and natural loose parts.

Will we need to buy resources before the workshop?

Usually, extensive purchases are not necessary.

The trainer may advise the school if any simple materials would be useful for a practical session.

Is the workshop mainly theoretical?

No. The workshops are intended to be practical and realistic.

Staff should leave with activities, approaches and strategies they can use in their own setting.

Will staff take part in practical activities?

In-person workshops may include opportunities for staff to experience activities themselves.

The amount of practical participation will depend on the subject, venue, weather and length of the session.

Do staff need to go outside during the workshop?

For in-person practical training, using an outdoor area can help staff understand how the activities work.

However, arrangements can be adapted for the venue, weather and mobility needs of the group.

What should staff wear?

For an outdoor practical workshop, staff should wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear for the weather and ground conditions.

Schools should let participants know in advance that part of the training may take place outside.

What happens if it rains?

Training can often continue in light rain when staff have appropriate clothing and the area remains safe.

The trainer may adapt activities, use sheltered areas or move parts of the session indoors if conditions are unsuitable.

Will the workshop be cancelled because of bad weather?

A workshop will not normally be cancelled simply because of light rain.

Severe weather, unsafe travel or hazardous site conditions may require alternative arrangements.

The school and trainer should discuss any concerns as early as possible.

What type of venue do we need?

An in-person workshop may require an indoor presentation space and access to a playground, yard, field, courtyard or other suitable outdoor area.

The exact requirements will depend on the subject and planned activities.

Do we need presentation equipment?

The trainer may require a screen, projector or interactive whiteboard for part of the session.

Technical and venue requirements should be confirmed before the training date.

Can the training be fully practical and outdoors?

A workshop can include a strong practical element, although a combination of explanation, demonstration and participation is often most effective.

The planned balance should be agreed before the session.

Will the workshop cover risk assessment?

Workshops may include practical guidance about boundaries, routines, weather, resources and risk-benefit thinking.

The school remains responsible for its own policies and site-specific risk assessments.

Will the workshop cover health and safety?

The trainer may discuss sensible management, equipment use and outdoor routines.

The school should continue to follow its established safeguarding, health and safety and risk-assessment procedures.

Will behaviour management be included?

Workshops can include strategies for setting boundaries, using stop signals, organising groups and keeping children focused.

Schools can request that outdoor behaviour management is given particular attention.

Will SEND adaptations be included?

General workshops can include inclusive suggestions, but schools with significant SEND priorities may prefer a specifically tailored SEND workshop.

The school should provide relevant information before the session so adaptations can be planned appropriately.

Will the workshop increase staff workload?

The aim of outdoor learning training is not to create more planning or pressure.

Staff should learn how to adapt existing curriculum objectives, use reusable resources and repeat successful activity structures.

Will staff receive ready-to-use ideas?

Yes. A practical workshop should provide ideas that staff can adapt and use soon after the session.

The purpose is to help teachers feel confident enough to begin rather than leave them with only theory.

Will we receive handouts?

Handouts, planning prompts or supporting materials may be provided depending on the workshop.

Schools should confirm what is included when booking.

Will we receive downloadable resources?

Some supporting resources may be included or recommended.

Access to the wider Muddy Puddle Teacher® resource library may depend on the school’s membership or subscription package.

Can we access the presentation slides afterwards?

Workshop slides may be protected training materials and may not be provided in full.

The trainer may supply selected notes or supporting documents where appropriate.

Can we record the workshop?

Schools should not record, reproduce or distribute the workshop without prior written permission.

This includes video, audio and screen recording of online training.

Can we share the training materials with another school?

Training materials are normally provided for the organisation that booked the workshop.

They should not be copied or shared externally unless permission has been given.

Will staff receive a CPD certificate?

Certificates may be provided for workshop participants.

Schools should confirm whether certificates are included and how participant names will be collected.

Is the workshop recognised as CPD?

Outdoor learning workshops can form part of a teacher’s or practitioner’s continuing professional development.

Schools may record the session within their own professional-development and appraisal systems.

Is the certificate a qualification?

No. A certificate of attendance or completion is evidence that a person participated in professional development.

It is not automatically an accredited qualification or licence.

Can staff use the workshop in their professional-development records?

Yes. Participants may record the date, duration, learning outcomes and subsequent actions within their CPD records.

It can be helpful to include how the training changed or influenced classroom practice.

Are the workshops accredited?

Workshops should not be described as accredited unless this is clearly stated within the booking information.

A practical workshop and an accredited training programme are different forms of professional development.

Who creates the workshop content?

The Muddy Puddle Teacher® workshops are created by Sarah Seaman and delivered by qualified teachers with classroom experience.

The training is designed to reflect the realities of schools and educational settings.

Who delivers the workshop?

Workshops are delivered by qualified teachers with practical classroom and outdoor-learning experience.

The individual trainer may depend on the school’s location, subject and preferred date.

Can we request a particular trainer?

Schools may ask, although trainer allocation will depend on availability, location and the selected subject.

Can the workshop be adapted to our curriculum?

Yes. The training can be linked to the age phase and curriculum priorities identified by the school.

Staff should leave understanding how the ideas support learning objectives rather than treating outdoor learning as an unrelated extra.

Can the workshop help us develop progression?

Yes. Training can explore how outdoor learning develops across age groups and how activities can become increasingly challenging.

A whole-school workshop may help staff identify progression from Early Years through to KS2.

Can the workshop help us create an outdoor-learning policy?

The session may identify important considerations such as purpose, routines, inclusion, safety, curriculum links and staff responsibilities.

Schools will still need to ensure that any final policy reflects their own procedures and context.

Can the workshop help with curriculum planning?

Yes. Staff can be shown how to begin with a curriculum objective and decide whether the outdoor environment strengthens the learning.

The workshop may also help teachers identify where outdoor activities fit naturally into existing plans.

Can the workshop help us make better use of our school grounds?

Yes. Staff can learn to see playgrounds, paths, walls, fences, fields and courtyards as flexible teaching spaces.

The focus is on using existing environments effectively rather than requiring an expensive redesign.

Can the workshop help staff who are nervous about teaching outdoors?

Yes. Building staff confidence is a central purpose of practical outdoor-learning training.

The workshop can help staff begin with manageable activities, clear routines and familiar spaces.

Can the training help us establish a whole-school approach?

Yes. A whole-school workshop can create shared expectations and a common understanding of what purposeful outdoor learning looks like.

Further planning and leadership support may be needed to embed the approach after the session.

Can the workshop improve outdoor playtimes?

An outdoor play workshop can help staff consider resources, adult roles, physical challenge, imagination, inclusion and social interaction.

This may support improvements to breaktimes, lunchtimes and wraparound care.

Can the workshop help with the transition from Reception to Year 1?

Yes. KS1 or continuous-provision training can explore ways of retaining practical learning while introducing increasingly structured curriculum expectations.

This may help schools provide a more developmentally appropriate transition.

Can the workshop support reluctant learners?

Outdoor learning may support children who respond positively to movement, practical experiences, collaboration and real contexts.

The workshop can help staff adapt activities without lowering expectations or assuming that one approach will suit everyone.

Does outdoor learning replace classroom teaching?

No. Outdoor learning complements classroom teaching.

Teachers should use the environment that best supports the objective, moving between indoor and outdoor spaces when appropriate.

How soon can staff use the ideas?

Many workshop ideas are designed to be used immediately or adapted for the following school day.

Schools may find it helpful to choose one or two actions to implement first.

How should we follow up the workshop?

Staff should identify a manageable number of next steps.

A follow-up staff meeting can be used to share what has been tried, discuss successes and decide how outdoor learning will develop further.

How can we measure the impact of the training?

Schools can consider changes in staff confidence, planning, frequency of outdoor lessons, pupil engagement and the quality of learning.

Evidence might include staff reflections, lesson observations, planning examples, pupil feedback and work produced.

Can we book further support after the workshop?

Schools may choose to follow the workshop with another subject session, an INSET day, online training, membership access or longer-term support.

The most appropriate next step will depend on the school’s priorities.

How far in advance should we book?

Schools should enquire as early as possible, particularly when they need a specific INSET or twilight date.

Providing several possible dates may make it easier to secure a suitable trainer.

How do we check workshop availability?

Schools can contact The Muddy Puddle Teacher® with their preferred dates, location, subject and approximate staff numbers.

Availability will depend on the trainer, location and delivery format.

Can we make a provisional enquiry?

Yes. Schools can request availability and discuss the most suitable training format before confirming a booking.

Can we speak to someone before booking?

Yes. Schools can arrange a conversation to discuss their needs, staff group, subjects and preferred workshop format.

How do we book an outdoor learning workshop?

Contact The Muddy Puddle Teacher® with your school or setting name, location, preferred date, chosen subject, desired workshop length and approximate number of participants.

A one-hour workshop focuses on one subject, while a two-hour workshop can combine two different subject areas.

What should we include in our booking enquiry?

Include your contact details, type of setting, age phases, staff numbers, preferred dates, location, delivery preference and selected subject.

You should also mention any particular priorities, such as SEND, staff confidence, continuous provision or limited outdoor space.

Where can I book an outdoor learning workshop?

The Muddy Puddle Teacher® provides practical outdoor learning workshops for schools, nurseries, childminders, councils, wraparound-care teams and other education organisations.

Workshops can be delivered live online or in person and can be tailored to the staff and setting.