Learning beyond the classroom
At Westbury School, the classroom is not a barrier to learning. We have a large outdoor curriculum that takes learning out of the classroom and makes learning an adventure. Teaching this way can boost confidence, teach resilience, develop communication skills and establish commitment to finishing what you started. It can also enhance relationships with adults, other young people, and the living world.
Our Woodland School
Our setting naturally gives the opportunity for using what is available outside the classroom, we are lucky enough to have access to a totally private 8 acre forest, a woodland path and 34 acres of land. We believe it is the right of every young person to experience and benefit from learning and playing that takes them outside the classroom. We provide a specialised learning approach that offers our young people regular opportunities to achieve and develop their confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in our woodland.
“It is fantastic here.”
Student, Westbury School
Helping our young people discover who they are
Our woodland School and its site provides a child centred learning process in a natural environment. Sessions are regular and sustained over time to support the individual development of each of our pupils.
In our woodland School, open-ended tasks and hands on experiences help our young people develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. Our woodland area is being developed by our young people themselves, guided by our woodland School Lead. Our young people learn to respect and care for nature, whilst using tools correctly and safely.
Our outdoor learning approach promotes the tapestry that is seasonality; this helps our young people find themselves, understand their place amongst and with others, take a lead in their learning, have the time and resources to see projects through, learn through trial and error, and develop resilience. It is a place where our young people are enabled to reflect on what they have done, and then plan to make what they have done become even better. The work of our highly qualified staff creates these experiences so that there is a greater chance of embedding the more traditional curriculum.