Dunnet pupils make the most of Caithness countryside by embracing the outdoors
Children at a Caithness primary school and nursery have been bringing their learning to life by escaping the classroom.
Pupils at Crossroads Primary School and Scallywags ELC have been exploring their local environment around the rural school situated on the way to Dunnet Head in the heart of the Caithness countryside.
Acting head teacher Lynne Swanson said: “When I moved to Crossroads, I was very impressed with the facilities and resources that the children had available to them within the school building and grounds.
“However, I quickly realised that there was a gap in how much we were utilising our local area. So, we started to explore areas close to the school and it was on a visit to the shoreline that we could see the rich learning opportunities that outdoor learning provided our pupils.”
Back in school, the staff and children worked on a plan to embed outdoor learning into the curriculum for the following academic year.
Since August, the school and nursery pupils have completed a series of learning visits to local bird hides; Dunnet Forest; the Castle of Mey; Dixonfield Farm and have visited Paddington’s bench at John O’Groats to launch their Children’s Rights topic.
Working in the community has also provided the children an opportunity to tap into the expertise of local nature enthusiasts such as Julian Smith and Garance Warburton.
Class teacher Nicola Mackay said: “Utilising the rich learning environment we live in and connecting with our local community members has really brought learning to life for our pupils. The children have formed a deeper relationship with their local environment and have developed confidence, resilience and a range of skills that would simply not have been possible within the walls of the school environment.”
Primary 4 pupil Ellie Fogarty-Macdonald said: “I like getting out into the world and seeing places that I haven’t seen before. It is good to learn about nature and see the animals. I liked the challenge of finding and cutting down our own Christmas tree, it was fun to take it back and then decorate it in school.”
Children at the nursery thrive on outdoor learning and staff ensure that play outdoors, in all weathers, is pivotal to the centre’s approach. This year the children will embark on learning experiences at local harbours and beaches.
