Bringing the Outdoors into Mainstream Education with Linda Dupret

We're kicking off Season 5 with an inspiring interview featuring Linda Dupret, a former headteacher with extensive experience leading an urban-based primary school.

Linda's passion for the outdoors drove her to integrate nature into mainstream education. I believe it’s crucial to provide young people with as many opportunities as possible to connect with nature. Outdoor learning, including approaches like Forest School, not only boosts wellbeing but also creates engaging educational experiences.

In this episode, Linda shares how she incorporates elements like fire and tools into teaching and normalizes outdoor learning in everyday curriculum.

This conversation is packed with examples of offering a broad curriculum, enhancing emotional health, and fostering a sense of belonging through outdoor learning.

We dive into:

• Reasons why teachers may be hesitant to take their classes outdoors for learning.
• Whether a lot of green space is necessary to offer Forest School skills or outdoor learning.
• How teachers can provide evidence of outdoor learning and its importance for Ofsted inspections.
• The benefits of incorporating crafts, den-building, and fires into school activities.
• How outdoor learning engages children, supporting multiple learning environments beyond the classroom.
• The importance of teacher confidence in conducting outdoor activities safely and effectively.
• Suggestions on how schools can fund equipment and basic resources needed for outdoor learning.

Show Notes:

https://theoutdoorteacher.com/podcasts/episode-33-bringing-the-outdoors-into-mainstream-education/

Music by Geoff Robb: www.geoffrobb.com

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