Open Air Education: The joy of learning
If you go down to the woods today... you might be in for a bit of a surprise. Certainly, if you head into the heart of the ancient woodlands in Castle Eden Dene. Welcome to Open Air Education, an outdoor independent school, where learning is rooted in fun and nature. Here, Colin Young speaks to founder Hannah Atkinson to find out more.
March 15, 2025
Words by Colin Young
Photography by Michael Sreenan
It is 10am on Monday morning at Open Air Education in Castle Eden Dene, and the classroom for the five-to-seven year olds is empty.
Today, the older group of the 30 at the school is having sports lessons at the Foundation of Light, in Sunderland, which has close links to the school.
The younger ones from the Playology nursery are already enjoying their first lessons in their other classroom.
Outdoors.
In the woods.
In the wind and rain.
On the Squirrel Walk.
The school’s founder Hannah Atkinson clears the usual detritus left abandoned by small hands – sheets of paintings and sketches, pens and pencils and pieces of Lego – as she prepares for our interview and photoshoot.
It doesn’t take long and, after putting down the largest set of keys ever seen, she sits on one of the small chairs and is quickly in full flow, which continues when we take in some of the Squirrel trail, and head on a circular route round the ancient woodlands.
Her passion and enthusiasm are as captivating as the scenery.
You can see why children and their parents love her.
“The question I get asked the most is, ‘what do you do when it rains?’”, says Hannah.
She adds: “All the two-year-olds will tell you the answer – put your hood up!
“Our classrooms are roofed by the sky, so we’re open to the elements all of the time.
“But it’s worth it for the benefit you get.
“The Squirrel Walk is part of the daily routine, and when we make our plans for the day at eight in the morning, that’s Plan A.
“But if the forecast and conditions don’t really allow for that, there are 25 other letters in the alphabet.
“This isn’t a new concept; it is proven in schools across the world – Bali, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, in particular.
“Admittedly, they are countries where it’s a bit warmer, but it’s the Scandinavian model of education – and they are top of the world in education tables and academic success for children – and it’s not always warm there.
“And it works here.”
Headquarters are blended into the woods and Natural England buildings at Castle Eden Dene.
When we step outside, we are interrupted by the nursery’s return from the woods.
A mini parade of yellow and blue small humans appears, dressed in school uniforms or ‘kit’.
They look like tiny fishermen and fisherwomen; some toddling along the ledge of the path, backed by their many teachers, heading towards the warmth of a second indoor classroom.
This is where they’ll have their lunch, packed at home or prepared in the well-stocked Natural England cafe next door.
There are a lot of red cheeks, wet, streaming noses and sodden happy faces under yellow hoods and woolly hats.
The knees and toes of those cosy, waterproof kits are covered in mud and slime.
Monday mornings look good in Castle Eden Dene.
Hannah’s calling is clearly teaching, as is the outdoors.
With Open Air Education, she is combining both while pursuing her career and vocation out of the mainstream system.
And finding and funding her own way has already paid dividends.
There are now three Playology Beach/Forest schools, with plans to expand.
She says: “I think parents are making decisions about their child’s education and not just going for what’s on the doorstep.
“This is fast becoming a proven concept; we started in 2019 with one outdoor nursery, and there’s been a huge waiting list ever since.
“We’re now on three nurseries that are all full.”
Hannah started as a primary school teacher before going on to senior leadership.
During that period, she joined the ‘Keeping Early As Unique’ network, speaking at their conferences and leading discussions on what early years play-based education would look like.
She says: “Colleagues and fellow parents were really interested, and it started to gain traction.
“It was just a discussion around whether it was possible children could learn without that ‘chalk and talk person at the front’ model?
“The answer is, of course, they can, and should, because, well, they’re four and five.”
After making the decision not to return to a school which was being ‘academised,’ following the birth of her second child, Hannah discovered the answer to her dreams in Seaham.
She says: “I was out for a walk along the promenade, pushing Byron, who was new- born.
“I went down to the marina – which is beautiful – and there was a unit that had just become available.
“That’s when the cogs started turning.
“I thought, ‘there could be something different here’.
“I could offer this play-based approach, pair that up with nature on the beach, and I’d have an outdoor play business.
“It took me a while to work out what it was going to be, but it was something I started to talk about.
“People were in agreement with me, and were putting their faith in me and coming along to the classes.”
She opened the first nursery – ‘The Mother Ship’, as Hannah calls it – in the heart of the harbour in June 2019: Playology Beach School and Learning Studio.
Yards away is the secluded Slope Beach, the first ever classroom; a treasure trove for the children and adults every day.
Hannah has recently bought the former Flamingo Cafe on the marina to refurbish for a third classroom for Playology, with the addition of a hot desk style-classroom for the Open Air Education learners studying geology or seaweed science on location.
She says: “The beach is magical.
“They discover limpets and shells, washed-up creatures and lobsters, and we have the rock pools to find anemones and crabs.
“Quite often, the seals come into the bay too.
“We bring in some of the washed-up creatures, put them in clear boxes and watch them decompose in the classroom, and the children use digital microscopes to have a really close look.
“It really gives them first-hand experience, and that’s where my heart lies.
“These kids are going to be real nature advocates; already, by the age of four, they are furious about litter and really care about the sea.
“They care about nature, and we’re developing such healthy habits because their early days, their formative days, are spent outdoors.”
The other most frequent questions Hannah is asked?
How are the children tested? And is there any homework?
The answers may not surprise you.
But here’s a clue to the first one. In SATs week, the Open Air Education pupils will be on a field trip.
And as for homework – head outdoors. And when you get back in, read a book.
Hannah says: “Our aim is to develop a learning culture at home and at school.
“Numerous studies suggest eating a meal together around the table is an indicator
of future academic success, and we really encourage children and families to spend time reading together.
“It shouldn’t fall off at age five.
“Children in this country are among the most tested in the world, and there’s top-down pressure on teachers for SATs, which is crammed learning for means testing.
“We know it’s surface level learning, so they don’t remember half the elements.
“I bet if I asked you to think about your best memories of your childhood, without adults, they’d be outdoors, maybe doing something a bit risky.
“Risky play is on the decrease, as is being in nature and enjoying free time outdoors.
“I thought if we could create a school that really focuses on the joy of learning, that encourages children to have a voice and a choice over what they learn, and have very skilled teachers to help, nurture and develop them on that journey, it would work.”
Hannah adds: “We overlook self-motivation in the young.
“Children get better at things such as drawing, writing, tree climbing, singing and putting their kit on because they see ten-year-olds doing it and they actually want to get better at it.
“They performed Bugsy Malone before Christmas, and the whole school was involved; children from four up to age ten, side by side, all in the show together.
“It was brilliant to see.”
March 15, 2025
- Interview