Curriculum Development – Learning Outside the Classroom
Bulwell EAZ have worked in partnership with Nottingham City SOLS (Sport, Outdoor Learning and Sustainability) team for several years with many children and colleagues benefiting from residentials and improved outdoor learning facilities in their own gronds.
In October 2009 the partnership was successful in securing a five year funded programme to develop Learning Outside the Classroom with The Paul Hamlyn Foundation Learning Away programme. The Bulwell programme is called ‘Moving On’ Moving on flow chart.doc focussing on supporting transition points and includes a wide range of residential and development opportunities for children, young people and staff.
Bulwell Academy Primary camps - after the successful camps at Easter camping on the Academy site was repeated during Autumn half term. This time the tents were erected inside the main hall, more of a sleep-over than camping! All six schools took part - pairing up to enable children to work with another school and each staying one night. The programme included Orienteering, Den building, Sport activities and a night walk. The camps were very popular and over-subscribed in some schools. The programme enabled schools to bring a whole class or year group. 
A store has now been purchased and equipment is stored and managed by Bulwell Academy young leaders, here they are packing away after the final camp.
Primary INSET day 2011 - The Learning away programme for 2011 - 12 was launched with a joint Primary Inset day on 31 October, 2011. Staff chose from a range of workshops around Learning outside the Classroom, writing and embedding outdoor experiences into the curriculum.
- Wollaton residential - an overnight camp for over 200 Key Stage 1 children
- Wollaton residential - also provided a volunteering opportunity for Young Leaders
- During the Easter holidays Bulwell hosted its first Academy camp - 180 primary school children camped on the Academy site over 3 x 1 night camps. To read more about this exciting development BA Primary camp April 2011.doc
- Primary INSET day 2010 - Paul Hamlyn funding enabled a whole Primary INSET day focussing on Learning Outside the Classroom on Friday 22 October 2010. The event was hosted at Bulwell Academy and included practical activities led by LOtC Curriculum leaders from schools and Nottingham City SOLS colleagues.
- CPD on Learning Outside the Classroom - a team of staff from Bulwell took part in a 3 day residential training lead by Martin Smith, Nottingham City Outdoor SOLS manager. The 3 days included a chance for staff to attend the Annual Paul Hamlyn Learning Away Conference at Edgbaston Botanical Gardens and an opportunity for some colleagues to visit other Learning Away projects in the Birmingham area.
- Year 7 residential -
all students transferring to Bulwell Academy in September 2010 were offered a place on a residential to Edale or Castleton Youth Hostels as part of their transition. The project was jointly funded by YHA Community Spirit, Paul Hamlyn 'Moving On', Bulwell Academy and parental contributions. Year 7 Residential Sept 10.doc
- Learning Away colleagues from across the country visited Bulwell PHF visit to Nottingham.doc
- Hartington residential – a cross curricular residential in March each year for 90 students Hartington residential report.doc also see Hartington-what the children have to say!.doc
- Year 5 residentials for individual schools
- Development of Young Leaders
- CPD opportunities for Bulwell colleagues to work both with each other and those involved in the Learning Away programme on a national level
The aim of the project is to transform the curriculum maximising the opportunities that the Outdoor Environment offers to Teaching and Learning
Nottingham City CYPP objectives
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7 Promoting healthy living - by providing healthy activities
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12 Improving attainment - by developing curriculum to maximise the potential of LOtC
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13 Closing the gap - by providing additional funding for ALL children and young people to access activities