Rain has a curious reputation in British schools. At the first sign of drizzle, playgrounds empty, indoor wet play boxes appear, and outdoor plans are quietly shelved. Yet in a country where rain is a regular companion, treating wet weather
In an era where education is increasingly shaped by screens, testing metrics, and indoor routines, school grounds are often overlooked as little more than playgrounds or sports fields. Yet with thoughtful investment, these spaces can become some of the most
Artificial grass has become a go-to choice for many schools, parks and families looking for a tidy, low-maintenance play area. It’s easy to see the appeal — a lawn that never needs mowing, watering or weeding sounds like a dream,
. The Mental Health Crisis Facing Young People Let’s face it—young people today are under serious pressure. Between school stress, social media, post-pandemic effects, and challenges at home, more and more young people in the UK are struggling with their
Over the past decade, more schools in the UK have embraced outdoor learning not just as a one-off enrichment activity, but as a regular, embedded part of the curriculum. When senior leaders — headteachers, governors, and senior leadership teams —
In early years education, there’s a growing recognition of just how crucial outdoor play is for children’s development. While structured indoor learning has its place, we often underestimate the deep, lasting impact that being outdoors can have on a child’s
Let’s be honest—many of us spend a lot of time indoors. Between working at a desk, commuting in a car, binge-watching Netflix, or scrolling through our phones, it’s easy to go days barely seeing the sun. But here’s the truth:
Half term is here again, and it came around quickly! If you’re anything like most families, you’re probably wondering how to keep everyone entertained without spending a small fortune. The good news? You don’t need to splash out on expensive
Spending time in nature is one of those things that can really make a difference in how we feel, both mentally and physically. In today’s busy world, where we’re constantly plugged in and surrounded by noise, nature offers us a
Everyone wants to feel good, but how can we know which products and lifestyle choices are truly worthwhile? Do we need all (or any) of them? And are there simpler, proven ways to support health? Spoiler alert, there are.
It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking of gift ideas and making Christmas shopping lists. Here are our top picks for the outdoor learning enthusiast or childcare setting/school in your life! Learning Outside the Classroom
Stepping outside is not just for the school day, we want to make going outdoors a way of life for children and their families. It’s a total mindset adjustment for many people, we are used to coming home from school
In honour of National Poetry Day, we have put together a set of lesson plans based on ‘The Lost Words’ by Robert Macfarlane with illustrations by Jackie Morris. It is a beautiful collection with lovely poems that accompany the great
Investing in teacher training days can have a profound impact on the overall effectiveness of outdoor learning at school. Here are four compelling reasons to invest time and budget in focused outdoor learning training sessions: 1. Enhanced Outdoor Teaching
There are some incredible things happening in many schools, one idea that we find inspiring is campfire breakfasts. Once a week pupils at some secondary schools in Berkshire and Hampshire are invited in early for breakfast around the campfire, and
School trips offer a range of benefits that can make them a valuable educational tool for schools. They’re often meaningful and impactful for pupils too. Think of those school core memories that many of us still carry with us today.
The battle with the indoors is real. It’s easy to be inside, there’s temperature control and all kinds of other modern conveniences. In just 60 seconds the kettle boils and in just two clicks of a remote we are whisked
Playtime should be just that, play time. In many school systems around the world, play time (or break time, recess etc.) has been cut time and time again in favour of more structured classroom time. There are countless pressures on
It’s that magical time of year when the flowers start to bloom and the sun is showing its face more often. We aren’t quite there yet, it is only early March, but spring is most definitely in the air for
Time and time again we hear the biggest barrier to regular outdoor learning in schools is rooted in a lack of staff confidence. Teachers often feel unprepared or too inexperienced to teach in an outdoor setting. There is a good
It has been an action packed year for us at SOuL. Of course, it’s good for business, but more importantly it says a lot about current trends and the status of the outdoor learning agenda. We are getting more enquires
We’ve all heard the infamous outdoor learning quote, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,” or something like it. We have used it before in another blog and on our socials, it’s a fan favourite! Alfred Wainwright
If you’ve been following the SOuL journey for a while you’ll have noticed that we have a strong preference for natural materials and flow in our installations. We have good reason, beyond the fact that they look beautiful. Let’s have
What is character? We know that certain experiences are character building but why? We know that the character of our pupils has a massive impact on their outcomes in life yet how can we as teachers work with them and
As another September appears on the horizon most of us in education are starting to shift focus to the new school year. The summer holidays provide a much needed break and give teachers a chance to rest and recover,
This summer has been especially busy for SOuL. There is a huge demand for outdoor classrooms, natural play spaces and character education learning spaces. We’ve also installed ponds, school allotments and more. Every time we visit a school or return
Outdoor Classroom Day is coming up on May 18 so mark your calendars! There are two official days each year to encourage schools to prioritise outdoor learning for their pupils. You can sign up online or just get stuck in.
Let’s talk about risky play and opportunities for pupils to test limits at school. Many schools are turning their backs on conventional timber trail type designs as they lack challenge, tend to be quite uniform and conform to standardised designs
A-levels are stressful for most pupils. Imagine if there was a way to beat sixth form stress and get pupils outside. Well, the team at Bohunt Sixth Form in Liphook, Hampshire are doing just that. The outdoor education
Eco Hubs are the future of outdoor learning spaces in schools. There, we said it! And here’s why. In the last year or two SOuL has installed several Eco Hubs of various sizes and styles in schools, and they
© 2026 All rights reserved
