Woodland

Woodland Learning at Totley All Saints CE Primary School

At Totley All Saints, we are incredibly fortunate to have extensive grounds that include two dedicated outdoor classrooms within our beautiful Woodland area. These spaces, one of which is equipped with cooking facilities, pond area and brook, provide our pupils with rich opportunities to take their learning beyond the traditional classroom and engage deeply with the natural world.

Learning in the Woodland

Our Woodland is an integral part of our curriculum delivery, offering hands-on, experiential learning that brings subjects to life. For example:

• Year 6 Science: Pupils explore biodiversity by classifying fungi found in the Woodland, developing their scientific observation and classification skills.
• Design and Technology (D&T): Inspired by the story of the Three Little Pigs, children design and build their own houses using natural materials, applying principles of construction and teamwork.
• Year 5 Science: Pupils investigate the lifecycle of newts in our pond area, observing and identifying different stages of development, which enhances their understanding of living things and habitats.

Outdoor Play and Learning

The Woodland is also a vital part of our OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) offer. Here, children are encouraged to build dens, explore freely, and develop a connection with nature. This fosters creativity, resilience, and a sense of well-being, supporting our vision of nurturing the whole child body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Our Commitment

We believe that learning outdoors supports our Christian values of stewardship and respect for God’s creation. The Woodland area is a place where every child can thrive, discover their unique potential, and experience the joy of learning.