DEVELOPING skills by working outdoors is a key part of learning at Lawn Primary School, which makes use of the grounds and nearby woodland to teach youngsters about the world around them.

The school recently received the Level 2 Royal Horticultural School Gardening Award for its work and introduced a new curriculum to keep kids ahead of the game during the past school year.

Kelly James, the headteacher at Lawn Primary School, said: “Everyone learns better by doing than by watching and many of the children live quite sedentary lives, so we wanted something that would encourage them to get outside to learn, rather than sitting in the classroom all day.

“It’s also a way of making learning more fun.

“It means when we want to do some more practical learning we don’t have to take the children out to Lawn Woods or around town we can just go and explore our own grounds.

“There are so many things the children can learn from the outdoors and so many skills about the environment and caring for wildlife.

“They also learn practical skills like orienteering and map reading.”

The school has also brought in “balanceability”, which is aimed at increasing the core strength and therefore balance of each child.

While there have been a number of changes at Lawn, some things have remained the same, with the school still excelling in many areas, such as chess and music.

Lawn has also impressed Ofsted inspectors in recent months, with the education watchdog rating the provision as good during their last inspection in March.

In the report inspectors said: “The quality of teaching is very good and children are eager to learn as staff provide exciting learning opportunities.

“Staff are well trained – especially in safeguarding – which promotes children’s welfare.”

NAME: Lawn Primary School
ADDRESS: Cleeve Lawns, Swindon, SN3 1LE
TELEPHONE NO: 01793 522626
EMAIL ADDRESS: admin@lawn-pri.swindon.sch.uk
HEAD TEACHER: Kelly James
CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS: Steve Sutton
UNIFORM: Green jumpers/cardigans