Deborah Lambert

Deborah Lambert is co-author of the National Curriculum Outdoors – a complete scheme of work* (KS1 to Y6) series of books published by Bloomsbury Education (2020) which provides a timely support to help teachers to grow their confidence in teaching outside. There are five books in the series: Key Stage 1, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and  Year 6 which provides an opportunity for a whole school approach to outdoor learning. 

Deborah provided the maths, geography, Art and Design, Design Technology, RE and French units for the series. She also wrote the Y5 history unit and Y6 English and Science units. 

Deborah was a network leader for North Cornwall as part of the Natural Connections demonstration project, supporting teachers to embed outdoor learning in schools in Cornwall.  Sue Waite led that project with over 125 schools across the southwest of England, delivered and evaluated by the University of Plymouth. One of principal initial barriers to teaching outdoors was found to be a lack of confidence in how to link outdoor activities to curriculum objectives and so the the National Curriculum Outdoors books were conceived; to support teacher confidence in linking outdoor activities to curriculum objectives and to save teachers planning time! 

Deborah successfully led the Erasmus+ 'Natural Schooling project, which concluded in 2023. 

The handbook, project evaluation report, lesson plans and a training programme for those wishing to develop a Natural Schooling approach in their own settings (written by Deborah),  can be freely downloaded at https://naturalschooling.eu. 

She is currently chair of the  'Natural Schooling' Research Interest Group (RIG), which meets termly to discuss outdoor learning and provide an international networking opportunity. 

A primary teacher for over 30 years, with a wealth of experience as a class teacher of EYFS–KS2 in  over 30 primary schools, Special Schools at KS1-4 and as a lecturer in  Further Education and Higher Education, in a range of settings and with different age ranges. 

Most recently, Deborah has been a FdA and BAAP lecturer for the Learning Institute (in association with Worcester University) also delivering ITT in outdoor learning to KS1, 2, 3 & 4 trainee teachers. 

She is a ‘Wild Tribe’ and PE trainer for the ARENA Sports Partnership for which she has written and delivered PE schemes of work and maths programmes of study for the Arena Wild Tribe Practitioners award using the medium of Forest School activities to deliver the curriculum outdoors. 

Debbie has written the Wild Tribe Explorers programme to improve health, wellbeing and behaviour, Wild Tribe leadership programmes for children, including the Wild Tribe Literacy Leader, Wild Tribe Maths Leader, Wild Tribe Rangers and Wild Tribe First Aid for children (to support the DfE RSE and Health requirements). 

Deborah is also a Level 3 OFQUAL certificated First Aid in the Outdoors trainer for World Class Training. 

Drawing on experience of managing the Playing for Success Education centre at Porthpean Outdoor Education centre, she co-authored a chapter in ‘Children Learning Outside the Classroom; from birth to eleven’  by Sue Waite (SAGE publishing, 2017) specifically chapter 15: Physical Development, Health and Well-Being: the role of Physical Education in which she offers an insight into the development of emotionally resilient learners through Outdoor and Adventurous activities.

Deborah Lambert runs Taking  Maths Outdoors which provides flexible and creative outdoor training for all curriculum subjects for schools in Cornwall and beyond. 

Teachers are shown how to  use their own school settings and grounds to facilitate the delivery of the National Curriculum outdoors. Training also introduces techniques which promote reconnection; integrating teamwork and PHSE. 

"I just wanted to thank you so much for your amazing workshops and presentation at our Conference a couple of weeks ago.  You delivered really inspiring sessions for those teacher delegates and helped make the event a success.  Thanks for being so positive and enthusiastic about our little event and bringing a little bit of Outdoor Learning magic to our day.
The feedback so far has been excellent with teachers feeling inspired and more confident.
Hoping that you will be back again to deliver for us next time!
Thank you, we really appreciate you and all the support you have given us."
Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development November 2021

If you are interested in Deborah Lambert providing training and support for your setting or event, visit https://takingmathsoutdoors.co.uk.

*The National Curriculum Outdoors series of books has been awarded  the LOtC Resource Provider Award which recognises organisations that provide products and services which  genuinely assist teachers in delivering meaningful and engaging  learning outside the classroom sessions, and who work with users to  ensure that this is the case. The award framework also helps organisations ensure that their products and services meet the needs of users.