• David Delaney, Headteacher and Georgia Geering (Forest School Lead) from Christ the King Primary School
Leaders at Christ The King Catholic Primary School have been working on developing the school environment to create inclusive flexible learning spaces. This has gone hand-in-hand with work on the curriculum. The school has taken the best practice in continuous provision up from early years to older year groups to promote choice and independence in learning.
Staff describe ‘enabling environments’ rather than classrooms. Pupils refer to their classrooms as “our space”. This ownership by pupils promotes a high level of independence in learning. The outdoor leadership staff are passionate about the fluidity of learning between indoor and outdoor spaces. Weather is a learning resource, not a barrier. The continuous provision style of learning has widened pupil choice in how they learn. Outside learning spaces are used to deliver bespoke lessons alongside a range of provision to support pupils’ mental health, teamwork, cooperation, resilience, creativity and problem solving. This therapeutic work using the outdoor environment has had significant impact on pupils’ mental health and wellbeing and has contributed to improved levels of attendance across the school.
The school’s Forest School provision is outstanding. There is a bespoke Forest School Curriculum in place which is delivered to pupils across all years in the school. The school is currently working on a Peace Project; developing an outdoor space to facilitate formal and informal opportunities for pupils to reflect and discuss difficult personal, local and global issues and experiences or events.