Learning beyond the classroom at Fircroft

We recognise the importance and value of learning which takes place beyond the classroom. Learning outdoors creates memorable, shared, fun experiences for pupils which can not only enhance subject learning but develop a range of essential personal and social skills such as problem solving and collaboration.

Our curriculum map has opportunities for pupils to learn within our school grounds, out in the local area and further afield. Recent activities on our school site have included:

• Planting heritage daffodil bulbs as part of our involvement in the ‘Blooming Tooting’ project, created to celebrate the local Victorian horticulturalist Peter Barr, known as the ‘Daffodil King’.
• Using our newly-installed weather station to collect weather data.
• Creating our own journeys in the style of the character from ‘The Journey’ by Aaron Becker.

We consider educational visits to be an essential part of our curriculum provision. We therefore first and foremost, make the most of the vibrant community on our doorstep. Recent local trips have included:

• Visiting the local Sikh Gurdwara.
• Taking a guided local history walk with a local historian
• Looking for signs of seasonal change on Wandsworth Common
• Conducting a bug hunt on Tooting Common
• Visiting our local library
• Visiting the Imperial War Museum: Churchill War Rooms

We also make the most of our excellent transport links into central London and our trips include a range of galleries, museums, attractions and also the chance to see a West End theatre production.

School Journeys

We also believe in the importance of providing pupils with opportunities to experience outdoor learning much further afield. Therefore both our Year 4 and Year 6 pupils have the chance to take part in residential trips and we know that their memories of these experiences are amongst their most treasured from their primary school years!

Our Year 4 pupils stay at the Walton Firs Activity Centre in Cobham, Surrey with its unique accommodation. With a focus on bushcraft and outdoor learning, pupils will take part in a wide range of fun and challenging outdoor activities including shelter building, scavenger hunts, forest games, sports, and generally exploring the great outdoors! 

In Year 6, our pupils stay at the PGL centre in Osmington Bay, Dorset. Located at the heart of the Jurassic Coast, Osmington Bay Adventure Centre is set on 45 acres of ground with access to the beach and stunning views across the sea. This is one of PGL’s biggest centres with superb facilities, great watersports and more activities than you can count! 

Click here for more information about our school journeys.