There is a range of research that all reinforces that outdoor learning boosts performance at school and reduces stress in children. Here at St Helen's we agree and just as importantly know it's a lot of fun! Outdoor learning experiences are often the ones children recall readily and with great enthusiasm. We recognise we are very lucky to have such a great outdoor learning area and endeavour to make full use of it in all areas across the curriculum.

On a very chilly day at the end of November the whole school took part in an Outdoor Classroom Day. Each class was set the challenge of choosing a tree in the school grounds, grounds, identifying it and decorating it with only natural objects.

Despite the very cold weather the children and even the teachers approached the task with great enthusiasm. The children shared their ideas for designs and tried to incorporate them in the final masterpiece. The activity developed skills in so many areas, speaking and listening, working as a team, art and design and physical development.

Some of the governors enjoyed finding out about the final designs from the children.

Well done everybody for not letting the weather stop our fun and learning outside! We look forward to the next Outdoor Classroom Day.

We had great fun working in our classes and our house teams building dens and raising money for Save the Children. Thank you for all your donations which totalled an impressive £300!

Well done to Tolkien house for building the winning den that could accommodate all the children and staff in the house.

Winning Den- Tolkien!

Den building fun!