Mind how you go...

Risk management during Riversides outdoor education sessions is about creating safe, meaningful learning experiences while recognising that some level of challenge is essential for growth. Risk in outdoor learning is not something to eliminate entirely—and we endeavour to manage it in a methodical way.

Outdoor environments naturally involve uncertainty, and when risks are well‑managed, they become opportunities for students to build confidence, resilience, and decision‑making skills. The goal is to balance safety with authentic challenge so learning remains engaging and developmentally valuable.

The pupils are encouraged to climb, balance, scale, swing and jump; using whatever terrain they encounter as their own personal parkour playground.

Effective hazard identification is the foundation of risk management. The pupils are encouraged to assess environmental factors such as weather, terrain and water conditions as well as human factors like group experience, fitness and behaviour. Learning this process helps them determine which risks are acceptable, which need further consideration, and which require avoiding altogether. (they certainly come across these and they are advised of the consequences of biting off more than they can chew)!!

Risk controls include planning, equipment checks, clear communication, and appropriate supervision ratios. The pupils begin to understand what the staff would consider safe and achievable. Strategies such as pre‑activity briefings, route planning, and emergency procedures reduce the likelihood of incidents. The activities can always be adapted or changed at short notice in order to ensure the most impactful provision and ultimately the pupils safety and wellbeing.

During our sessions we constantly perform dynamic risk assessment—ongoing, real‑time judgement during activities. Conditions can shift rapidly, so we monitor the group,their demeanour, the environment and activity, making adjustments to plans when needed. This responsiveness is key to maintaining safety without unnecessarily restricting the experience.

Exposing whilst explaining to our pupils a shared risk management strategy helps them understand safety and develop responsibility. Teaching them to recognise hazards, make decisions and manage themselves fosters independence and strengthens the educational value of outdoor experiences with the long term goal being to enable them to operate independently, making safe and considered decisions.

Forest School developments

 The little area around the back of the school is slowly taking shape...

...even after the staff  'all hands on deck' day last Summer it would have been tricky to picture its gradual evolution into what the children see and experience at present.

The inspiration for the wickerwork teepee came after having some large lengths of hazel left over and I thought it would be good to create an area of calm reflection (whether or not the kids can sit still for long enough is another matter, but it is good to encourage!)

One of the Year 3 pupils is still storming ahead in the 'tallest sunflower' contest...

The willow arch has all taken root and showing vigorous growth...

At the top corner of this picture you can see the little watery oasis that has been created to hopefully bring some frogs into the garden...there are already some pondskaters and other invertebrates on view...

And the potatoes and pumpkins are out and thriving...

All of this activity and creation is giving the Forest School pupils  a wide and varied topic to unpick. Some of the sessions are investigative, as they are fascinated by all the developments but they still really enjoy the loose play aspects that are encouraged; mud kitchen and messy play being some of their favourites.

The whole area has been a revelation, as the more you put in, the more they get out.