Outdoor Education

Outdoor education is woven into the fabric of life at West Hill Park

Beginning in our Wild Griffins Nursery and continuing all the way through Pre-Prep and into the Prep School.

Our 100% Outdoor Forest School Nursery, Wild Griffins, immerses children in nature, providing them with the freedom and opportunity to understand science, numeracy, literacy, working as part of a team, problem-solving, risk-taking and so much more.

Our Reception class have regular Forest School sessions with their teacher, who is forest school trained, building on their skills from Wild Griffins and preparing them for Outdoor Education in Year 1.

From Year 1, pupils take part in structured Outdoor Education lessons that build confidence, independence, and resilience.

Year 1 Skills:

Using a knife safely
Lighting a fire with a striker
Cooking simple food over a central fire (e.g. toasting bread)

Year 2 Skills:

Advanced knife skills
Tying basic knots
Using a folding saw (1:1 supervision)
Fire-lighting with cotton wool and striker
Open-fire cooking (e.g. preparing s’mores)

These experiences culminate in our much-loved Summer Expeditions, where Year 1 and 2 pupils camp under the stars with their parents on the school grounds, which is an unforgettable opportunity to build confidence and make lifelong memories.

Year 3 Skills:

- Cooking on open fire
- Advanced knife skills – stripping wood
- Walking skills – what to take and what to weat
- Taking part in a group walk
- Bikability level 1
- Climbing skills (harness and helmet)

Confidence at Height Expedition