Today’s society has a higher demand for self-awareness and more specialised skills that ever before. This is why at St Michael’s, we endeavour to prepare our students for life beyond school, by incorporating learning experiences outside of the classroom.
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) is the use of places and activities other than the classroom for teaching and learning. St Michael’s curriculum is enriched and enhanced by numerous trips and visits to Jersey’s array of museums, cultural sites of interest and environmental locations which bring alive learning for the children. Not only does this show them real-life applications of theories that they are learning at school, it speaks to our school’s ethos which places great emphasis on our children being well-rounded individuals.
Our teaching is multisensory, and we therefore believe that fun and creative learning needn’t be confined to the classroom. As a school we play an important role in developing, not only a quality learning environment but a stimulating one. Wherever possible our teachers identify learning experiences that are cross-curricular and where possible, involve some fresh air and sunshine.
We want to encourage our students of all ages to engage in a broader range of soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, reflection, problem-solving and decision-making skills. This compliments the time spent in the classroom, where we share new knowledge, discuss difficult topics and teach strategies for learning.
Children who struggle with classroom-based learning often tend to excel when learning in an outdoor environment. Getting their hands dirty can help learners to acquire knowledge from a different viewpoint and develop a passion for various learning areas by providing a context for learning. Taking school outside can ignite a newfound enthusiasm. Younger children find joy in the wonders of nature and teachers can use their excitement to create authentic, engaging and accessible learning experiences in the great outdoors.
It is obvious that the world our children are growing up in, is rapidly changing. This change is exciting but it is also going to be particularly challenging. Fortunately, St Michael’s does not shy away from change or challenges and we continue to equip and prepare our students with as many different learning experiences as possible to ensure they not only survive the world outside of school, but that they actually thrive and are able to make a positive difference wherever they may find themselves.