Three tips for planning outdoor lessons for children with SEND
It’s important to be prepared when taking learning outdoors, so here are some top tips to help you plan.
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Nov 27 2024

Classroom learning doesn’t suit everyone, and this can be especially true for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). For some, sitting still and engaging with a teacher can be challenging, and for others, the classroom itself might be overstimulating. Outdoor learning removes some of the barriers presented by traditional classroom learning and has a wealth of benefits for all children.
Changing up the learning environment and taking children outdoors to explore can help them engage as they learn new skills and concepts. Getting to grips with things they might have struggled with previously is a great confidence booster, and shows them that they’re equally as capable as their classmates who thrive in traditional educational settings.
Children with SEND can be less likely than their non-disabled peers to interact with their classmates, as they may spend more one-on-one time with supporting adults. Having time to learn and play outside gives them time to develop deeper relationships with classmates, especially in activities that involve teamwork.
It’s important to be prepared when taking learning outdoors, so here are some top tips to help you plan.

Our top tips
1. Plan for things not to go to plan
There are lots of reasons why things might not go as expected. Your first choice of activity might not suit everyone, so make sure you have adaptations or back up activities that will keep pupils on track to meet learning objectives. As well as this, some children might find nature overwhelming, so ensure there’s an easily accessible safe space for them to retreat to if they need a break.
2. Allow extra time
While all needs are different, some children with SEND might need extra time to adjust to the outside environment. For example, neurodivergent children might need some time to stim, and children with mobility aids or other medical equipment might need extra time to make their way to the outdoor learning space.
3. Opt for non- or semi-directed activities where possible
There are lots of benefits to letting children have agency over their own time outdoors. Non-directed activities give children total freedom over their time outdoors. Semi-directed activities still allow them to work towards any learning outcomes you might have for them, but they get to choose if and how they participate.
Both options offer children the chance to focus on their own interests, learn at their own pace, develop personal skills, and become more confident in themselves.

Discover the benefits of outdoor learning with Hampshire Outdoor Centres. All of our centres are fully accessible and have lots of adaptive activities to choose from. Our instructors receive regular SEND training and will work with you to ensure all pupils are supported on their visit.