What is an outdoor classroom?
Recently we partnered up with the ABLE (Association of Business Leaders in Education) network to enable us to engage more widely with schools. As part of our offering we gave a workshop on “Bringing Nature into schools” and the associated value of nature in school settings.
Whilst designing our workshop and session plan, we discovered the true scale of Nature Defacit Disorder and Mental Health problems faced by our young children. A survey conducted in July 2020 shows one in six children having a probable mental disorder (NHS Digital). The proportion of children experiencing a probable mental disorder has increased over the past three years (from one in nine in 2017) to one in six in July this year.
So, as worried parents and fanatical eco-builders, we immediately saw this as a very clear indicator of a mass-scale systemic problem within our society at large. Thankfully, our schools are aware of this problem and one of the wonderful solutions presented to improve mental health and wellbeing for children is the inclusion of Forest School initiatives and Outdoor Classroom Spaces.
Presently, the overall view of an outdoor classroom is that of a gazebo. But, living in the UK with a less than favourable climate, we would propose that insulated, functional eco-buidings are also utilised as outdoor classrooms. Afterall, the shape and qualities of nature should be the basis of any activity taking place outdoors – even when the weather forces us to move indoors!
It gives us unparalleled joy to build these gorgeous outdoor classrooms for schools all over the UK. The beauty of the outdoor Rotunda classroom is that it’s (a) quick to install (10-15 days!) (b) affordable (c) Built to last +50 years by a passionate joinery firm in the North West of England and (d) designed with nature in mind – echoing the form of all organic life.
So, if you’re looking for an outdoor classroom or are expanding your Forest School activities then please do drop us a line – we love every one of these Roundhouses, and we can assure you, that when you use one in your school, you’ll love them too!
Have a lovely Autumn everyone,
Rotunda x
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