St. Patrick’s National School has had a long tradition of using the outdoors for teaching and learning. We have been long standing members of the Green Schools programme and have had a school garden in our school for many years. More recently, our school became involved in an EU project with Dublin City University and schools in other countries on outdoor learning and risky play. This has meant more involvement with the outdoors in our school.

We now have a dedicated outdoor learning area that includes a sandpit, mud kitchen, mud pit, woodland area, tree house and an outdoor classroom. Children in junior classes have outdoor learning and risky play experiences a number of times each week. Wet gear and wellies are part of their school uniform, allowing students to stay comfortable and dry, enabling them to learn outdoors in all types of weather. They use the outdoor space to learn, to play and to take risks. The elements of risky play that the children are exposed to include speed, climbing heights, rough and tumble play, using tools (like potato peelers or knives for cutting), getting lost and playing with elements, like water. These managed risks help to build confidence.

Older students also take part in lessons outdoors across the curriculum throughout the year. They visit places in the locality to connect them to the place (Slane) that they live. We are very lucky to have a playground, the Hill of Slane, local church and graveyard and historical village of Slane right beside us.

We view the right to play as essential for every child at break times in our school. We use the school pitch as soon as the ground is dry enough each year. When children are on the yard, they are on a rota to use the outdoor space during winter. Thanks to our Parent’s Association, we now have a storage shed for materials.

‍