Tregadillett Primary School, following inspiration from a PTI Geography Day, undertook a philosophical shift to embed practical, hands-on, and outdoor learning across its entire curriculum to make education more memorable, engaging, and fun. Inspired by the power of geographical fieldwork and its focus on observing, questioning, and interpreting the world, the school extended these principles to all subjects. This cross-curricular approach transforms subjects: Science pupils conduct outdoor experiments and observe habitats; Mathematics lessons use the school grounds to measure perimeter and estimate garden produce; and History pupils physically walk through a reimagined timeline of local and global history in the playground, supporting a clearer understanding of chronology. English and Art are also enriched, with outdoor storytelling, persuasive letter writing on climate action after environmental audits, and nature-inspired land art.
The impact of this curriculum redesign has been profound, leading to increased pupil engagement and creative freedom for teachers. Crucially, the practical, sensory-rich outdoor environment has created alternative pathways for success for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), offering a less pressured, more therapeutic setting. This move has resulted in a notable increase in confidence, independence, and emotional regulation among these pupils, successfully removing barriers to the curriculum and in some cases reducing the need for formal assessments. To ensure sustainability, the school has invested in staff CPD and developed bespoke outdoor spaces, including a market garden, a forest school area, and a sensory garden, reinforcing its belief that the curriculum should be a "lived experience" for every child.