Ardvreck School, set in 40 acres, surrounded by stunning views of high mountains, fields and ancient woodland, is incomparable in its location and has been promoting the importance of outdoor play since 1883. It has greenspace by the bucketload and every single pupil uses it on a daily basis. From the 3 year olds in Nursery to the 13 year olds on their week long Adventure Camp - and for everyone in between, learning outdoors in nature is part of what we do best. 

Let the children play? We certainly do!

Without free play, and without adults constantly jumping in to say ‘be careful!’ or to sort out friendship issues, how can a child learn to navigate the essential skills of negotiation? Of risks? Of deep communication? Of standing up for their own ideas? Of sticking up for others? If we don’t give them space and time to practise these essential life skills in a safe environment, they will most likely grow into people who will continue to need ongoing help and support to navigate every aspect and intricacy of adult life, lacking skills such as resilience, confidence and independence. 

These skills must be allowed and encouraged to develop as early as possible in children. Children's abilities are often underestimated, or held back by adults who ‘interfere’ (with good intention, of course) far too quickly. Ardvreck School supports children in Nursery and Little Ardvreck particularly, allowing them that all-important space to grow. They know that an adult is always on hand to help - if help is required. 

Unstructured play times - particularly in nature - is regarded as an ideal time for children to explore relationships and feelings. The open sense of space helps children in the knowledge that a child can move freely from area to area to discover and find new resources that cannot be ‘owned’ but can be shared. Resources outdoors are plentiful (and free!) and playing in nature encourages use of the child’s imagination. If something becomes a problem, children can actively seek out an adult to help, rather than the adult intervening on their adult timescale! If left alone, the children may have found a way to negotiate to a satisfactory resolution - what better way to boost self confidence and self esteem! 

Everyone wants their children to be ‘happy’ at school - but school is a learning environment. And sometimes the lessons can be tough! Regular and repeated time spent in nature allows time for learning to be processed and for lessons to ‘click’. Learning to ask for help, and then accepting help when it is really needed, is a key life skill. Learning that resolutions don’t have to be perfect is another! This social and emotional growth begins in the very earliest days of Ardvreck School with sessions in our woodlands. We begin by working on our team building skills and using language to encourage clear communication in the Nursery and Little Ardvreck . We engage in lots and lots of free, imaginative and intrinsically motivated play!  

Unstructured play is vital for children’s mental health and wellbeing. There are current concerns about low activity levels leading to increases in childhood obesity and low self esteem. Younger teenagers can often withdraw from participating in ‘childish’ fun and games. Increased screen time can mean decreased outdoor time. Children often appear to have forgotten how to be bored and how to entertain themselves without electronic devices or adult direction. Here at Ardvreck School, we encourage all ages to climb trees, make dens, play with sticks and use their imaginative and creative play ideas for an extended period, several times a day. 

The school bell rings after our long morning break, and over a hundred wellie-booted children will appear, climbing down from the trees, emerging from streams and woodland areas, feeling more refreshed, calmer, and ready to go back to work in their classrooms after their time outdoors. Do they go out in the rain and snow? Of course! That’s why we have warm and waterproof clothing as part of our school uniform! From the nursery right up to the oldest 13 year olds – they come back to classes often wearing plenty of mud, with leaves in their tangled hair, big grins on their faces, sometimes blasted by wind, sun, snow and rain! 

Our school tradition of spending time outdoors is what makes Ardvreck special. There is a whole-school approach to planning and delivering an outstanding programme of balanced learning activities (physical, academic, creative and outdoor)  in order to provide developmental experiences, build resilience and to enhance pupil confidence, progression, self-esteem and wellbeing. From the earliest days spent learning to entertain themselves, to collaborate and to play freely in the forest environment, will later become full adventure days, learning skills in bushcraft, mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking etc, before progressing to even longer journeys (by foot or on water), to climbing several munros and doing overnight camps. The final term at Ardvreck School includes a full-on week long adventure camp; the pinnacle of their time at our school. Every year the children make us proud - it’s time to show off what accomplished, practical, fit, brave and caring young people they have become as they tackle new challenges in the outdoors, using all the skills they have learned and developed from an early age in this very special place. 

Time spent in greenspace is known to be a facilitator of mental health and wellbeing, reducing stress and lowering heart rates. At Ardvreck we take the wellbeing of our pupils as seriously as we take academic and sporting achievements. Time spent in a greenspace enhances concentration and learning, improving attention span and the ability to embed and retain information. Of course we spend time in more traditional classroom settings too, but we have found a great balance. Life skills are about far more than just academic skills - as everyone knows - and at Ardvreck we prepare children for real life. Our pupils are resilient, they work hard, play hard and also achieve excellent results in their examinations for senior school entrance to the very best of schools across the UK. What more could you want for your child?