Learning Beyond the Classroom: Discovering Our College Environment

As part of Erasmus Days 2026 and the Erasmus+ LIFENAT project, St Edward’s College will celebrate St Edward’s Day by encouraging its youngest learners to discover their College environment through outdoor learning.

Using the school grounds and natural environment as an extension of the classroom, KG2, Year 1 and Year 2 learners will explore, observe and engage with the surroundings that form part of their everyday school life.

KG2 and Year 1 learners will take part in a guided exploration of the College environment, observing natural elements such as trees, leaves, flowers, stones and twigs. By identifying similarities and differences, describing what they find and sharing their discoveries, learners will develop observation, communication, early mathematical and collaborative skills.

Year 2 learners will take part in an observational walk around the College grounds, looking closely at details they might normally overlook. Their observations will then inspire drawings, captions and a collaborative story based on their school environment.

By linking St Edward’s Day with Erasmus Days, the activity provides an opportunity for learners to get to know and appreciate their College environment while experiencing how outdoor spaces can support meaningful, curriculum-linked learning.

The event also contributes to the dissemination of the LIFENAT project, promoting the use of nature and outdoor environments as valuable contexts for learning, creativity, communication and collaboration.