As we adventure in Lee Thomas tells me how it is an honour to return to his old University and see the next generation of teachers working with the children, “I feel very qualified to evaluate their roles within the lessons and help them to develop their teaching of the young children.” Finally we reach a clearing in the woods and there are wooden logs for benches where the children sit and milk and biscuits are handed out and a contended silence falls over the group. Being outside is nothing new in the grand scheme of things but holding classes outside is a far cry from the traditional set up of what some might consider formal learning, although I have seen nothing but learning and creativity from this class, I am interested to find out what Lee thinks of the sceptics out there.
A
fter each group had made their Gruffalo from what they had gathered and explained it to each other, we headed off deeper into the scary, dark wood. But I am assured by a few of the children that there is no need to fret. Thankfully they are there to protect me from anylurking Gruffalo that might be hiding in the over bushes.
16 | Cardiff Met Alumni 2013
“It is a shame that some people still see this type of learning as not formal enough to raise standards but I strongly feel that to raise standards within education in the schools, it is extremely important that children understand the basic skills we need for life, and there is no better way than to use the outside environment where children feel free and have lots of fun in their learning.”