Programmes and Packages | In Person | Primary | Education | Cross-curricular

Whole School Approach

This course takes a focussed, whole school approach to raising attainment through the use of quality outdoor learning and play. We think this course is unique, based on clear evidence of impact, and blending play, outdoor learning, and sustainability themes.

Outdoor learning and play have the power to transform pupils’ engagement, wellbeing, and attainment. Our Whole School Approach supports schools to build a shared, sustainable culture of outdoor practice that strengthens teaching, improves playtimes, and enhances the use of your school grounds every day.

Unlike a single training course, the Whole School Approach is a tailored combination of professional learning, strategic guidance, and practical curriculum support delivered over a term or a full year. Your school chooses the elements that best meet your priorities — creating a programme that is structured, supported, and achievable.

Who this programme is for

This programme is ideal for schools that want to:

Embed outdoor learning and play as a consistent, whole school practice
Improve confidence and skill levels across the staff team
Enhance curriculum delivery through hands on, outdoor experiences
Improve the quality of playtimes and wellbeing across the school
Develop a strategic, long term plan for making the most of their school grounds
Combine several types of training and support into one coherent programme

The Whole School Approach is suitable for early years, primary, secondary, or cross phase settings.

What to expect

Your programme begins with a conversation about your ambitions, challenges, and context. From there, we help you build a tailored pathway from our menu of whole school elements.

Each pathway typically includes:

1. Initial Consultation

We will carry out an initial Advisory Visit to meet with key staff, discuss priorities, and explore how your outdoor spaces can support learning and play. You will receive a summary report with clear, practical recommendations.

2. Foundations Training

Choose from:

This training builds confidence, shared understanding, and immediate practical skills for teaching outdoors.

3. Playtime Development

Our Playtime Revolution training supports schools to improve play culture, supervision approaches, risk and challenge, and the use of outdoor environments for high quality play.

4. Curriculum Modules

Select additional sessions to deepen outdoor teaching in priority areas. Options include:

These sessions provide practical curriculum-aligned approaches for immediate use.

5. Practical Outdoor Skills

Hands on, full day training in Fire Lighting and Outdoor Cooking.

6. Advanced Practitioner Pathways

Lead Teacher in Outdoor Learning for key staff to lead and champion outdoor learning and play in your school.

7. Ongoing Support

Termly online clinics to help maintain momentum, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate progress.

Your programme can run over a single term, two terms, or a full academic year.

Key themes

Throughout your Whole School Approach journey, we focus on:

Why outdoor learning matters – how outdoor environments support engagement, creativity, wellbeing, and deeper curriculum understanding
Leading learning outdoors – practical approaches to organisation, safety, and behaviour that help all staff feel confident outside
Curriculum-linked pedagogy – hands on, memorable learning experiences connected to your school’s curriculum priorities
Play and wellbeing – enhancing the quality of playtimes and building positive routines and supervision cultures
Strategic planning – supporting SLT to embed outdoor learning and play within school improvement planning, policies, and long term goals

Benefits for your school

By the end of your programme, your school will:

Strengthen consistency and quality of outdoor learning across the whole staff team
Increase confidence to use outdoor spaces for purposeful teaching and safe, high quality play
Gain practical, adaptable curriculum ideas for immediate use
Improve wellbeing and engagement among pupils
Develop a clear plan for sustaining outdoor learning and play into the future
Build a positive, shared culture around outdoor practice among staff, pupils, and the wider community

Flexible delivery options

Your Whole School Approach is built from a menu of elements, allowing you to design a programme that fits your school’s priorities, staff availability, and academic year.

A typical programme might include:

Advisory Visit (full day)
Foundations Training (full day)
A Playtime Revolution session (twilight or half day)
One or more curriculum twilights (e.g., Maths Outdoors, Literacy Outdoors)
Ongoing support via online clinics

Pricing

Pricing varies depending on the elements selected and the length of the programme. We will provide a tailored quote based on your school’s needs.

For Trusts and Local Authorities

We can scale the Whole School Approach across multiple schools through:

Launch sessions for leaders
Advisory visits for individual schools
Shared online workshops
Optional membership for ongoing CPD and resources

This model helps create consistency across settings while allowing each school to focus on its own priorities.

Enquire now

Contact us or complete the form below to tell us about your school’s priorities, and we’ll help you design a tailored Whole School Approach programme that fits your goals, timelines, and budget.