The evolution of Out to Learn
Whilst outside, humans thrive
We combine well being, enrichment & education with nature through accessible outdoor events for all.
How it all began
Thank you for visiting our website and for taking an interest in Out to Learn. It truly means a lot to me that others are as enthusiastic about combining education and enrichment with well being and nature.
Out to Learn began in the beautiful Chiltern Hills while walking with my sons and we came across some bones poking up through the ground. After investigating this together we realised that we had an almost intact badger skeleton and I realised that this inherent inquisitiveness resides in us all.
I signed up to become a qualified teacher and now, years later, here we are doing the same thing but with many more children and adults, embracing our natural curiosity in the most natural place there is!
As someone diagnosed late in life with dyslexia and ADHD my lived experience has shown how powerful outdoor learning and connecting with nature can be in supporting emotional regulation, which then opens the door to true learning. We encourage young people to move away from the idea that learning happens only in a classroom through real-life experiences and problem solving.
We believe that taking risks plays an important part in the learning process. We manage this with a thorough staff training program, high staff-to-participant ratios and a robust health & safety policy. All of the team are up to date with safeguarding, DBS and first aid requirements with the childrens safety as our highest priority.
Mike Williams (PGCE, MOst)
Founder – Out to Learn
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Through working with schools we have developed enrichment and intervention packages to suit a variety of needs. Learning outdoors brings with it new opportunities for children to self-regulate, build relationships and reinvigorate their inherent love for learning.
The story continues
Taking inspiration from nature, the weekly outdoor setting continues to offer nature-inspired applied academic learning experiences in a fun and accessible way within the stunning Chiltern Hills.
Before long the project grew to include grant funded holiday camps where both home and mainstream-educated children could enjoy nature together.
We quickly became OFSTED registered demonstrating our commitment to professionalism, accountability and access for all.
Before long these educational nature experiences were delivered through ‘outdoor learning’ within the mainstream school setting as an onsite alternative provision. This helped children to regulate and normalised nature as a part of the school day.
This evolution has continued to include workshops at festivals and corporate events.
The regular weekly sessions now function as offsite alternative provision for children who are unable to attend school for various reasons.
The huge positive impact these experiences have on children and adults of all abilities is evident in the feedback from clients.
It is our commitment to strive to support everyone, irrespective of perceived barriers, to develop a meaningful and lasting connection with nature.