Why do Wild Challenge?

“It has never been more important for schools to lead the way in re-engaging children with the natural world. As these children grow up how can they be expected to care for something they haven't experienced? I see the vast potential the outdoors and nature have to offer in a broad and balanced curriculum. I think the RSPB is doing a great job in encouraging schools to make more use of the outdoors. I am a full-time teacher, and nothing I have done took too much time or was additional work.”

"I work with bilingual learners and have used Wild Challenge as a way of supporting their language development. Wild Challenge creates real life opportunities to learn about the world. It inspires conversations with meaning and ideas for writing. We love all the opportunities that Wild Challenge gives us."

“My class has loved completing all the Wild Challenges and we have decided to include your challenges as part of the Early Years curriculum next year too, as it has been so successful. A BIG thank you from all of us at Whitley Lodge First School!”

"I love allowing the children to lead on their Wild Challenge award themselves, to create a sense of independence and ownership. They apply knowledge, skills and understanding from a range of subjects such as habitats, living things and materials from science, with skills and understanding from design and technology and maths for purposeful STEM projects."

“It is important for young children to embrace and engage with nature first-hand. For example, letting children collect their own pinecones for a sensory table and walking amongst the wild flowers that you are asking them to paint in spring. First-hand experience engages their sense of awe and wonder, which inspires their language and learning, as well as their emotional bond with the natural world.”

"Wild Challenge provides year-round ideas for utilising the immediate school grounds to support the curriculum and to improve the environment for outdoor learning. The Biodiversity Action Plan activity is a great way to involve children in maximising the potential of the schools’ outdoor space, to provide opportunities to experience nature first-hand, whilst activities such as Food and Water for Wildlife and Homes for Minibeasts give practical ideas on how this can be achieved. Children who were scared of minibeasts and didn’t want to get dirty have developed confidence and learned to have fun outdoors. I thoroughly recommend Wild Challenge."

“I am absolutely delighted that my class has received the Bronze award. Learning for sustainability and global citizenship are not only part of our curriculum but also something I am passionate about and they intertwine perfectly with my other passion – children learning through play/outdoors. My pupils (and staff) will be very proud that their efforts have been recognised in this way and I'm sure it will boost their motivation to continue to engage with the rest of this challenge. Thank you again and I look forward to sharing photos etc of pupils completing the rest of your tasks to complete Silver and Gold.”

"Not only would the award activities support our curriculum aims but they would take us outside, making the most of this unique opportunity to enjoy and explore our environment while the world seemed to pause. With each project, children were able to accompany their outdoor experiences with curriculum objectives. Work on minibeasts, trees and plants fulfilled objectives in our Science curriculum and gave us a catalyst for instruction writing."