Outdoor Learning

Integrating Education Beyond the Classroom
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Welcome to JFK Outdoor Education & Academic Trips Programme!

Outdoor learning at a glance

Experiential process of learning by doing -hands-on methodology-

– Less learning in the abstract-theory- & more physically active for students

– Possibility to offer real-world connections to students

– Emphasis of learning based on relationships, relationships with peers and natural resources

– School-directed activities carried on outside of the school building or related to an out of class classroom context

– Transdisciplinary approach, including the different areas of the curriculum: art, language arts, maths, physical education, social studies, music, science etc

Curriculum

Aims of the programs & linking to the Curriculum

– Both co-curricular programs propose outdoor learning activities intentionally aligned with the curriculum, reinforcing and/or extending academic content

– Teachers include this performance in their formative assessments & rubrics are created for extended learning

– Middle School students are focused on project-based learning

 

Educational approaches

Outdoor education fosters a more student-centred methodology and provides to students a wide range of educational approaches to learn:

  • Experiential learning
  • Observational learning
  • Project based learning
  • Collaborative learning
  • Prior knowledge-based learning
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JFK Outdoor Education & Academic Trips Programme

Defining JFK Outdoor School

  • Our co-curricular program related to Outdoor Learning
  • Directed to both levels, Primary & Middle School
  • Weekly lessons for all groups in Primary
  • Weekly lessons for Middle School students until half-term
  • Linked to the Academic Trips Program

Academic Trips Program

– Transdisciplinary & co-curricular program that explores learning possibilities locally, regionally & internationally

It includes:

  • Overnight Trips (September)
  • MS Humanities Trip (October)
  • Spring Trips (May)
  • Graduation Trip (June)
  • Diverse educational activities in the outdoors

Head of Outdoor Education & Academic Trips program

Breo
Breogan Gómez
PE teacher and Head of Outdoor Education & Academic Trips program

Originally from Galicia, (North-West Spain), Breogán Gómez is a passionate about the outdoors and the learning possibilities that this field brings into education. Breo is a Primary & PE teacher and holds a master’s degree in Outdoor Education by the University of Santiago de Compostela. He worked in the Department of Education of his hometown, Ourense, developing educational programs as well as a Primary & PE teacher. Besides Spain, Breo has worked in Sweden for four years, teaching PHE & PSPE through the IB curriculum, and Slovenia, doing research for the national Centre of Outdoor Learning (CŠOD) and the University of Ljubljana. Since 2022, Breo has developed a cross-curricular program regarding outdoor learning at JFK, integrating it together with the Academic trips program. When he is not at school, Breo can be found enjoying the beautiful outdoors. He likes travelling, spending time with family and friends, cooking and, of course, eating!