Ofsted looked at the range of outdoor activities provided at 12 primaryschools, as well as at secondary schools and colleges, in a surveybetween May 2007 and March 2008 that examined integrated learning insideand outside the classroom.
The report recognised strengths in practice and the improvements thatoutdoor provision can make to children's development. It found that thebest practice enabled young children to move independently from indoorsto outdoors.
Learning through Landscapes, the school grounds charity, welcomed thefindings.
Annie Davy, early years development advisor at Learning throughLandscapes, said, 'The report is very exciting for early years andprimary schools. The importance of outdoor areas can't be emphasisedenough.'
The report also identified weaknesses, and highlighted a lack ofappropriate implementation and planning for visits outside theclassroom.
It said, 'The level of vigour was often missing from the planning ofprimary school day visits. The objectives for the visit were rarelydefined carefully enough, or related sufficiently to classroomwork.'
Ms Davy said, 'Trips vary in quality. In order to get the most out ofschool trips, visits need to be carefully thought out and planned.'
The report will now serve as a model for schools and colleges, providingrecommendations to overcome barriers that affect the success of outdoorlearning.
FURTHER INFORMATION
'Learning outside the classroom' is at www.ofsted.gov.uk.