Throughout the year, our Leaways School London has been embracing learning away from the classroom environment and making the most of the wealth of locations and attractions close to the school to enhance pupils’ learning.

As part of its outdoor education programme children and young people from across the school, including its primary classes, have visited a variety of educational, cultural and other locations including churches, mosques, temples and synagogues, museums and London landmarks.

These trips are not only fun, which they most certainly are, they also help enhance the curriculum offered by the school. For example, a trip to the Bank of England Museum not only helps enhance learning about history, it also supports learning about maths and how our economy works in the UK.

Children and young people at Leaways have also taken educational visits to the Science and Natural History Museums, HMS Belfast, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern. The subjects where outdoor learning can support understanding include Religious Education, sciences, maths, English, art and design, history and many others.

Tony, who leads on Outdoor Education at Leaways, said: “We are very lucky at Leaways to have so much on offer, so close to our doorstep. As well as enhancing our learning in different curriculum subjects and enhancing cultural capital, these outdoor or outside school learning opportunities give us all a chance to understand more about London, about geography, to use our social skills including how to navigate the Tube system or buses.

“Learning in the classroom establishes the foundation on subjects and then these visits really do enhance that learning. The young people really remember things from the visits, they remember what they see or hear on those trips.

“The visits also break down preconceptions they might have about a particular subject or venue. Sometimes, before their visit, they might think something is going to be boring and they’re always pleasantly surprised!”