Who says a classroom needs four walls?

At Duke of Kent School, a woodland can become a history classroom, an athletics track a giant musical stave, and a handful of leaves the starting point for a Maths lesson.

Set in the beautiful Surrey Hills, our school offers an inspiring natural environment where pupils can explore, discover and bring their learning to life.

Outdoor learning is a growing part of our approach to education, creating opportunities for pupils to think creatively, work collaboratively, build confidence and develop a deeper connection with the world around them.

Outdoor Learning at a Glance

• Learning beyond four walls – Outdoor lessons bring subjects including Maths, English, Science, History and Music to life.

• Space to explore – Extensive woodlands, wildlife habitats and dedicated outdoor learning areas provide opportunities for discovery.

• The Burrow – Our purpose-built outdoor classroom supports practical, hands-on learning throughout the year.

• Confidence, curiosity and calm – Learning in nature encourages engagement, independence, creativity and collaboration.

• Caring for our world – Forest School, conservation projects and our work with Surrey Wildlife Trust help pupils develop an appreciation of nature.

Not Your Average Classroom

Across Pre-prep, Prep and Senior School, our teachers are finding creative ways to bring curriculum subjects to life outdoors.

• When leaves become number lines: In Maths, natural materials help younger pupils explore shapes, place value and number lines.

• When history happens all around you: Pupils recreate the Battle of Hastings and explore the challenging conditions faced by soldiers during the Second World War.

• When movement makes Physics make sense: Senior pupils bring distance–time graphs to life by physically acting out journeys.

• When an athletics track becomes a musical stave: Music lessons use movement and space to explore rhythm and musical notation.

• When trees inspire stories: Our grounds provide inspiration for creative writing, encouraging pupils to observe, imagine and find new ways to express themselves.

These experiences make learning more tangible, helping pupils build understanding through doing, experiencing and discovering.

I've seen a real difference in our pupils through outdoor learning. They're calmer, more confident and more engaged, and I've noticed that learning often becomes more memorable, with children recalling what they've learnt more easily. Just as importantly, it's helping them develop a genuine connection with nature and a sense of responsibility for looking after the world around them. 

Sam Gritton, Outdoor Learning Coordinator, Duke of Kent School

Room to Roam. Space to Grow.

Some lessons need a desk and a textbook. Others need a woodland, an open field or a little space to discover something new.

Our grounds offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor learning, from woodland areas and wildlife habitats to dedicated spaces for exploration.

At the heart of our provision is The Burrow, our purpose-built outdoor classroom. Equipped with teaching resources, wildlife investigation equipment and heating for colder days, it provides a welcoming space for learning throughout the year.

The Burrow can be used as a classroom in its own right or as a starting point for lessons that take pupils further into the surrounding grounds.

Beyond The Burrow, pupils can explore our Junior Jungle, woodland learning areas and dedicated Forest School site, developing independence, resilience and curiosity through their experiences.

Outdoor learning is also supported by ongoing staff development, including training delivered in partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust, helping teachers discover new ways to take the curriculum beyond the classroom.

Small Actions. Wilder Futures.

We want our pupils not only to enjoy the natural world, but to feel a responsibility for protecting it.

Since September 2023, our partnership with Surrey Wildlife Trust's Wilder Schools programme has helped us develop our grounds for wildlife while creating opportunities for pupils to learn about conservation through practical experience.

From creating a wildlife pond and installing bird feeders and hedgehog houses to monitoring animal species with camera traps, pupils have been encouraged to take an active role in caring for their environment.

These experiences are helping to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility, with pupils increasingly seeing themselves as stewards of the natural world around them.

Outdoor Learning in Numbers

• 435 outdoor learning sessions recorded since September 2023, including Forest School and Action Days

• 26 Actions for Nature

• 12 animal species recorded on camera traps

Our commitment to environmental responsibility is also reflected in our wider sustainability initiatives, including our Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction recognition.

Big Discoveries Start Outside

Outdoor learning at Duke of Kent School continues to grow. Our dedicated Outdoor Learning Weeks encourage teachers to experiment with taking lessons outside, while new developments, including a planned orienteering course, will create further opportunities to combine movement, exploration and academic learning.

Because outdoor learning is about much more than a change of scenery.

It's about the moment a difficult concept suddenly makes sense. The confidence gained from trying something new. The curiosity sparked by a discovery and learning something through experience.

At Duke of Kent School, our natural surroundings are more than a beautiful backdrop. They are an important part of the education we provide.