It also helps to develop higher-level skills and can increase confidence, determination and independence, increasing communications and encouraging team support.
“I was so proud of how our students learnt so much about themselves. They learnt to share, support, encourage, be resilient, and look after each other.”
Mrs Clay, The Causeway School East Sussex
An out of the classroom environment also provides students with the opportunity to enhance their mental health, increase their personal and social communication skills and develop their leadership awareness.
Alex James from St. Paul’s Junior School, London told us how his students benefitted from learning new skills outside of the classroom on a Rockley residential trip.
The students benefit hugely. It is more about the team work and team building that they learn rather than the activities they are taking part in.
Working outside is about them being together and working together as a group and having to listen to each other. They learnt valuable skills. It takes them outside of their comfort zones, trying things they have not done before.
These skills are not learnt in a classroom environment.
Being flexible, ‘reading the room’ and playing different roles all lead up to working as a team and leadership experience. These are just some of the skills that many children are given the chance to adopt when trying something new.