Learning outside the classroom
Horticulture
North Star 82° is home to a historic 400‑year‑old walled garden that provides children with a unique opportunity to learn about the food they eat and how to grow the foods they will enjoy in the future. Our aim is to establish a strong foundation in outdoor education—one that will remain with the children throughout their lives.
We recognise the importance of helping children understand the journey of food from seed to plate, and we are committed to fostering a “plant to plate” ethos throughout our curriculum. By celebrating seasonal produce and teaching practical cooking skills, we hope to cultivate confidence, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for fresh, homegrown ingredients.
To support this vision, we are constructing an outdoor kitchen and dedicated fire‑pit area this summer. These spaces will provide an inviting environment where delicious food and meaningful conversation take centre stage.
For children requiring SEMH support, the garden offers a calm and nurturing setting where small‑group interactions help them learn to trust others, build friendships, and develop self‑confidence and resilience. Through these experiences, we aim to equip every child with the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges with assurance and adaptability.
Forest School
Forest School at North Star 82° is centred on free play, exploration, and self‑discovery. We nurture a deep appreciation for the natural world while teaching practical skills such as whittling, safe tool use, coppicing, mud‑kitchen play, and creative arts and crafts using natural materials. Children also learn to design and build shelters—developing a sense of pride, ownership, and practical understanding (as well as staying dry in the rain!).
Our approach allows children to simply be children, while following a carefully planned curriculum of seasonal activities, festival celebrations, and nature‑based learning. Through these experiences, we support and develop social skills, resilience, creativity, environmental awareness, fine and gross motor skills, and emotional well‑being.
We are fortunate to have an exceptional outdoor site that offers the freedom to roam, explore, and play safely. We firmly believe that outdoor play and exploration are among the most valuable learning experiences a child can have—laying the foundation for confidence, curiosity, and lifelong well‑being.
