Research underpinning the National Curriculum Outdoors books

New for 2023! Organisations in Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK took part in a 3- year Erasmus+ funded ‘Natural  Schooling project led by Deborah Lambert (WeST Learning Institute). 

The value and impact of the Natural Schooling project is clearly evident in the data gathered and evaluated in the evaluation report written by Josie Cuffe (WeST Learning Institute) and advised by Sue Waite.. 

A free CPD programme of 5 key elements (written by Deborah Lambert and advised by Sue Waite) supports understanding of how a natural schooling approach can be developed in a school setting, using case studies from the Natural Schooling project, reflection on practice and current research. 

To find out more and download the project handbook, evaluation report and CPD booklet here: https://nationalcurriculumoutdoors.com/erasmus%2Bnatural-schooling

Almers, E., Askerlund, P., Samuelsson, T. & Waite, S.  (2020) Children’s preferences for schoolyard features and   understanding of ecosystem service innovations – a study in five Swedish   preschools, Journal of Adventure   Education and Outdoor Learning, DOI: 10.1080/14729679.2020.1773879 [OPEN ACCESS]

Edwards-Jones,   A., Waite, S. & Passy, R. (2018) Falling into LINE: school strategies for overcoming challenges associated with learning in natural environments (LINE), Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education. 46 (1), 49-63. DOI:   10.1080/03004279.2016.1176066

Marchant E, Todd C, Cooksey R, Dredge S, Jones H, Reynolds D, et al.   (2019) Curriculum-based outdoor learning for children aged 9-11: A  qualitative analysis of pupils’ and teachers’ views. PLoS ONE 14(5):  e0212242. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0212242

Natural England: The People and Nature survey for England: children’s survey 2020 available online: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-people-and-nature-survey-for-england-child-data-wave-1-experimental-statistics/the-people-and-nature-survey-for-england-childrens-survey-experimental-statistics#fnref:4 

Quay, J., Gray, T., Thomas, G. et al. (2020) What future/s for outdoor and environmental education in a world that has contended with  COVID-19?. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 23, 93-117.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-020-00059-2  

Waite, S.  (2020) Where are we going? International views on Purposes, Practices  and Barriers in School-based Outdoor Learning. Special Issue:  Outdoor Adventure Education: Trends and New Directions. Education Sciences, 10, 311;  https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/10/11/311  

Waite, S., Goodenough, A., Norris, V. & Puttick, N. (2016) From little acorns: environmental action as a source of ecological wellbeing, Pastoral Care in Education: An International Journal   of Personal, Social and Emotional Development. 34 (1), 43-61. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02643944.2015.1119879

Waite,   S., Rutter, O., Fowle, A. & Edwards-Jones, A. (2015) Diverse aims, challenges and opportunities for assessing outdoor learning: a critical examination of three cases from practice, Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education, 45 (1),   51-67. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/03004279.2015.1042987

Waite, S., Rogers, S. & Evans J. (2013) Freedom, flow and fairness: exploring how children develop socially at school through outdoor play, Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 13 (3), 255-276. DOI:   10.1080/14729679.2013.798590

Waite, S. (2013) ‘Knowing your place in the world’: how place and culture support and obstruct educational aims. Cambridge Journal of Education, 43 (4),   413-434. DOI: 10.1080/0305764X.2013.792787

Waite, S. (2011) Teaching and learning outside the classroom: personal values,   alternative pedagogies and standards, Education 3-13, 39 (1), 65-82.   DOI: 10.1080/03004270903206141

Waite,   S. (2010) Losing our way?: declining outdoor opportunities for learning for children aged between 2 and 11. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. 10 (2), 111- 126. DOI: 10.1080/14729679.2010.531087

Waite, S. (2007) 'Memories are made of this': some reflections on outdoor learning and recall. Education 3-13, 35 (4), pp. 333 - 347. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004270701602459

Waite, S. & Goodenough,   A. (2018) What is different about Forest School? Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education. 21 (1), 25-44 http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42322-017-0005-2

Transforming outdoor learning in schools Plymouth University. Natural connections Demonstration project (2016)  available online: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/uploads/production/document/path/7/7634/Transforming_Outdoor_Learning_in_Schools_SCN.pdf 

Additional resources, links and discussion can be found under the 'research and evidence' topic tabs on the National Curriculum Outdoors Facebook group