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O Castro British International School

Our Green Zone: learning, nature and sustainability

  • School education

Discover the Green Zone at O Castro British International School: a commitment to holistic development through experiences and activities outside the classroom.

At O Castro British International School we are committed to the holistic development of our students in the broadest sense. As well as providing them with a broad and balanced curriculum so that they acquire the academic knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to successfully face the challenges of their school life, and beyond, we offer a full range of experiences and activities that complement our students' educational journey, making them responsible, committed and highly prepared for the challenges of the global world.

Learning outside the classroom

Practical and experiential learning is one of the main characteristics of the British education system, both inside and outside the classroom, an approach aimed at students acquiring knowledge and skills through direct experience, rather than just receiving theoretical information.

At O Castro British International School we elevate this concept thanks to our recently opened Green Zone, a spectacular 500 square metre outdoor classroom, a multidisciplinary space to enhance key outdoor skills and foster environmental awareness and respect among our students, from the age of three upwards. A bug hotel, a compost bin, a school vegetable garden, fruit trees, a covered classroom or tables to work in the open air are just some of the elements that make it up.

Outdoor learning is an educational approach that harnesses the benefits of the natural environment to support students' physical, emotional, social and cognitive development, offering multiple benefits for both students and teachers:

1.      Fostering creativity and imagination

  • Being in a natural environment, free from the constraints of a traditional classroom, allows students to explore and use their creativity in new and innovative ways.
  • Natural settings offer endless possibilities for free play, problem solving and project creation, which stimulates students' imaginations.

2. Improved physical and mental wellbeing

  • Contact with nature has positive effects on mental health, reducing stress and anxiety levels. Spending time outdoors can improve mood and increase the overall sense of well-being.
  • In addition, outdoor learning encourages physical activity, which promotes a healthier and more active lifestyle.

3. Development of social skills

  • In an outdoor environment, students often work in groups, which encourages collaboration, teamwork and joint problem solving.
  • Social interactions in a different context than usual strengthen relationships between students and foster important social skills such as communication and empathy.

4. Improved concentration and motivation

  • Studies suggest that learning in natural environments can improve students' concentration and attention by reducing distractions and promoting a more relaxed environment.
  • In addition, outdoor learning can increase students' motivation, as the activities are often more dynamic and interesting than traditional classroom lessons.

5. Experiential and hands-on learning

  • Outdoor learning is based on hands-on experiences, where students can experience the concepts they are learning in a practical way, such as in science activities when studying nature or in art projects with natural materials.
  • This approach helps students better understand topics and retain information more effectively.

6. Connection to nature and environmental awareness

  • Outdoor learning fosters a deeper connection with the natural environment, which promotes ecological awareness and respect for the environment.
  • By experiencing nature first-hand, students develop a clearer understanding of environmental issues and the importance of sustainability.

7. Development of cognitive and motor skills

  • Outdoor activities, such as exploring the environment, hiking or manipulating natural materials, help students develop gross and fine motor skills.
  • Critical thinking and problem solving are also promoted when confronted with new and changing situations in the natural environment.

8. Establishing more inclusive learning

  • The natural environment offers learning opportunities for students with diverse learning needs and styles, as activities can be adapted to different abilities and provide a space for multi-sensory learning.
  • Students who may not excel in a traditional classroom could excel in outdoor activities that involve movement or active exploration.

9. Increased resilience

  • Outdoor learning also builds resilience, as students must adapt to different conditions, such as weather or environmental challenges, which teaches them to cope with difficulties and overcome obstacles.

Outdoor learning offers a wide range of benefits that not only impact students' academic development, but also their emotional, social and physical wellbeing. This approach fosters more holistic and meaningful learning, preparing them to face real-world challenges more effectively.

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