The partnership is a first of its kind with the Eden Project and will see children predominantly learning outside of the classroom, amongst nature. This kind of outdoor learning, that a location such as Eden is exceptionally well-placed to offer, has been found to improve young people’s learning experience.
According to a major 2015 study, outdoor learning was found to have a positive effect on children’s attitudes, interpersonal skills, academic skills and more, with benefits increasing over time1.
As well as the physical building of a primary school and nursery within the Eden Project’s beautiful Outdoor Estate, a wealth of skills, experience and creative talent is forming around this unique and trail-blazing school.
The children will begin their first day of school in September 2022 with the Headteacher and Early Years Teacher using their many years of experience to teach children the seven curriculum areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage, through nature and the outdoors, pushing out the classroom walls! This ‘learning through doing’ is fundamental to learning at Sky because real life experiences are brilliant at enabling children to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, problem solving skills, understanding of numbers, confidence and much more.
The Early Years Teacher, Emily Ford, was appointed in May and has been working alongside Headteacher, Emma Vyvyan, and the Eden Project Education Team, to turn the vision for the nature-inspired curriculum into reality, fine-tuning learning experiences and making the curriculum exciting and engaging so children’s learning flourishes.
Emily said: “Many of my experiences have led me to Sky! From spending all my days outside as a child to studying Biology as an undergraduate and then becoming a teacher who
is passionate about the natural world. I now have 7 years of experience teaching children across an Infant School.”
As well as growing the teaching team, Kernow Learning, which is the multi-academy trust working with the Department for Education, Cornwall council and EcoBos housing developers on the project, has been establishing a skilled team of school governors to provide strategic direction, accountability, financial stability, and clarity of vision alongside the Kernow Learning Trustees.
As the school begins its existence, it is working hand-in-hand with the Eden Project, and working collaboratively with local groups, such as Falmouth University, the Austell Project and Will Keating. Will is a Cornish singer songwriter who is creating lyrics with the children for their School Song, which the children will perform in late September, and is set to ‘Cornwall My Home’ (composed by Harry Glasson).
The vision of the school is that the children of Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery will ‘grow skyward’, enjoying exciting learning within a ‘learning beyond the classroom’ curriculum - a first in partnership with the Eden Project.
Emma Vyvyan, Headteacher Designate, said: “The opportunity to implement an innovative curriculum with outdoor learning and global citizenship as the golden thread means there will be no limits to any child reaching their full potential and achieving their dreams.”
Sam Kendall, Eden Project Education Manager, said: “Learning outside is such a powerful experience for children and young people. There are so many ways that it connects with their learning, their wellbeing, and their socialisation. Nature is good for us and we want our learners to reap these benefits and become champions of nature now and in the future.”
Kernow Learning CEO, Clare Crowle, said: “We will put our heart and soul into providing a highly effective education for the children of this new school, which, due to its location, and links with the Eden Project, will provide unique opportunities for outdoor based learning, whilst also ensuring that every child leaves us a confident reader, writer, mathematician, ready for the next stage of their education.”
To find out more about Sky Primary and Eden Project Nursery, including admissions for September 2023 and nursery admission throughout the year, please visit our school website – www.sky.kernowlearning.co.uk or get in touch via sky@kernowlearning.co.uk
*Seven curriculum areas:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Maths
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
1 The Existing Evidence-Base about the Effectiveness of Outdoor Learning, October 2015
