George Palmer Primary School in Reading is leading a Network Schools programme, ‘Inside Out’ that aims to develop teachers’ confidence and skills in using outside spaces for learning across the curriculum and encourage pupils to ‘take risks’ and develop their confidence and respect for the local environment.
The Network includes four other Reading schools, Geoffrey Field Junior School, New Christ Church Primary School, The Ridgeway Primary School and Blagdon Nursery and Children’s Centre. All these schools form the Whitley Excellence Cluster. Visual artist Stu Mclellan will be working with teachers to deliver a series of practical sessions, in each of the partner schools that will include hands-on experiences for the host teacher, observation opportunities for all the partner schools, as they visit each other’s projects and series of twilight sessions, which will be open to other schools across Reading where teachers will share the learning.
The Network will develop a visual diary and on-line resources to support sustainability and the sharing of successful practice. Reading Girls School and Reading University’s Education Department will also be involved through the use of their students as mentors to support transition from primary to secondary.
