Local MP Mark Pawsey praised the work of Paddox Primary School on outdoor learning in the Chamber of the House of Commons this week.
Mark recently visited the school to learn more about their outdoor learning programme. Mark was so impressed that he threw his support behind the school in their bid for £10,000 from the Aviva Community Fund to purchase two YURTS (large outdoor tents) for their Forest School which would enable the pupils to use it all year round.
The school was successful in its bid and plans to purchase the YURTS this year.
Mark was keen for the school’s achievements to be acknowledged and drew attention to their outdoor learning programme during regular question time with Government Education Ministers.
Speaking after Education questions on Monday Mark said:
“I was incredibly impressed by Paddox Primary’s Forest School during a recent visit and was so pleased when they won funding for two YURTS.”
Mark continued:
“I was keen to have the school’s achievements acknowledged by Government Ministers and hope that more school’s will follow their lead and add outdoor learning to their curriculums.”
Mark concluded:
“The work which Paddox Primary has been doing in respect of outdoor learning offers a real opportunity for their pupils to broaden their learning experience. During my visit I saw first-hand just how much the children enjoyed the outdoor activities on offer as well as learning new survival skills. I hope that other schools will follow Paddox’s lead and encourage outdoor learning.”
Relying to Mark’s question in the House of Commons the Education Minister Nick Gibb MP praised Paddox Primary as “an outstanding school” and stressed that the “Government’s approach is to give such schools freedom…particularly if they believe it will help children to learn their multiplication tables.”