What is included in the Family Hub Membership?

Why was the membership created?

The Founder of Teach Outdoors, Jo Clanfield, realised first-hand how frustrating and difficult it can be to find strategies and access to professionals to support the needs of her own children. This new and innovative membership is designed to bridge the gap by helping parents and families who want a proactive approach to supporting their children. The membership aims to provide families with the knowledge, strategies and resources to confidently lead their child’s learning journey. All the information is located in one place so you don’t have to spend hours searching for reliable information and support.

Would your child benefit from the resources in the membership?

If your young person thrives on movement and learns best through hands-on activities, then active learning is the perfect fit for your family. For those seeking curriculum-aligned activities with clear guidance, our Curriculum Bank is an invaluable resource. Designed to complement your existing provision, it offers an ever-expanding collection of resources, currently focusing on Maths, Science, and English (including spelling, punctuation, and grammar). Our Active Learning For Home series provides engaging activities for teaching spellings, times tables, and phonics in an active manner, ideal for children who struggle with retention and recall. Additionally, our Nature Nurture activities and themed resources offer creative ideas to make learning both active and enjoyable.

Does my child need a specific diagnosis to benefit from the membership?

No! Active learning can benefit ALL children. It can offer a calming effect for those with ADHD and enhance concentration. Our multisensory approach, tailored for dyslexic learners, reinforces concepts effectively. With our activity plans, you’ll have practical strategies to engage your child meaningfully. Rest assured, we’re here to guide you through every step, ensuring EVERY child can flourish in their learning.

Where is the evidence to say outdoor, active learning is beneficial for children?

At Teach Outdoors, we’re dedicated to raising awareness about the advantages of outdoor learning across the education sector. However, we understand that outdoor learning is sometimes perceived merely as play or a “nice-to-have” rather than a core educational component. Unfortunately, many still associate learning exclusively with children sitting at desks in classrooms.

However, recent research challenges this idea of the passive classroom – according to Robert Coe (2015), learning truly happens when students are deeply engaged in thinking. Yet, despite this understanding, many classrooms remain static, with little variation in learning environments throughout a student’s educational journey. For many years researchers have been looking at the impacts of outdoor environments on children and adults. Here are just a handful of findings:

8-10 year-old children performed better in an attention test in their school garden compared to their indoor classroom (Mancuso et al, 2006).
13-15 year-olds learning maths and biology outdoors had better long term knowledge retention than their peers who did the same lessons indoors (Fagerstam & Blom, 2013).
Children who spent 2 hours a day learning maths, science and writing outdoors, outperformed peers taught indoors in state-wide reading and writing tests (Ernst & Stanek, 2006).
In a study involving 560 preschoolers across 28 settings, studied across 4yrs, the more hours spent outside, the less likely they were to have inattention and hyperactivity symptoms and the better they scored on attention and memory tasks (Ulset et al, 2017).

Does the membership support children of a certain age?

The family membership is designed to be inclusive of children of all ages. While the curriculum resources are aligned with the English National Curriculum objectives for the primary phase, they are structured to accommodate varying levels of progress. Activities are categorised into three levels, allowing you to easily gauge progression and understand the prerequisites and next steps. Although age is provided as a guideline, the goal is to tailor the activities to your child’s individual level. You may find it beneficial to revisit earlier concepts to reinforce learning and build confidence through over-learning.

Below is an example of one of the lesson activities for Multiplication and Division Level 3:

Does my child need to be home-schooled?

No. The intention for the support is that we give you the knowledge and skills to support your child. If they attend school and they are struggling with certain concepts, you have the skills and resources to support them. Similarly, if your child is accessing a setting part-time or they are home-schooled, you can use the resources as and when they are needed. It is important to note that this is not a complete curriculum scheme of work to follow as it is designed to enrich what you already have in place.

What professional support do I get in the membership?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to best support your child, our membership offers professional support and training to assist you along the way. Each month, we focus on specific areas such as dyslexia support, well-being strategies, practical curriculum advice, sleep support, managing fussy eating, and addressing Emotional Based School Avoidance. During these sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with experts, ask questions, and gain valuable insights to help you make informed decisions about your child’s journey.

In the UK, existing support systems are often stretched thin and underfunded, leaving many families waiting for assistance. Our membership provides proactive advice and strategies to bridge this gap, especially for those awaiting services funded by Local Authorities. Additionally, we welcome your input on the support you need, and we’ll do our best to source it for you.

What if I need more support?

As a member, you’ll join a supportive community of families facing similar challenges and celebrating successes together. Our goal is to foster a space where we can share achievements, exchange support strategies, and uplift one another throughout our journeys.

With our library of pre-recorded workshops and training sessions, you’ll have the flexibility to choose topics that resonate with your current needs. We understand that your support requirements may evolve over time, so we offer a pick-and-mix approach to ensure you can access relevant resources whenever you need them.

If you encounter a roadblock and need personalised guidance on a specific area of learning, we also offer 1:1 sessions. During these sessions, we’ll work with you to identify the best strategies for supporting your child’s learning journey.

Are there tutors to teach my child?

At the moment this isn’t something we are offering. Instead, we want to empower you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support your child. However, if there is significant interest in tutoring services, it’s something we may explore in the future.

What is the spotlight on Careers?

Many children who struggle within the education system may face challenges with confidence and self-worth. I aim to ignite inspiration in children by showcasing the vast array of opportunities available in the world, spanning various professions and career paths. It’s crucial to encourage them to explore their strengths and interests, as these are often overshadowed by a focus on weaknesses. Each month, we’ll feature interviews with professionals from diverse fields, offering insights into their careers and providing our young learners with aspirations for their futures.

Who is the membership NOT for?

If you’re seeking a quick fix or a magic solution to all your challenges, this membership might not be the right fit. Honestly, I’d approach anyone promising such solutions with scepticism! Instead, our aim is to collaborate with you, empowering you to enhance your confidence, knowledge, and skills. Together, we’ll navigate the journey of supporting your child, utilising strategies and active learning resources. It’s important to acknowledge that the journey won’t always be smooth sailing, but rest assured, we’re here to support you through the tough times.

How much does it cost?

There are two options to gain access to the Family Hub, either through monthly payments or annual membership. The monthly fee is £25 and this will be set up as a recurring payment unless you cancel your membership. You are not tied to a contract and can leave at any point. The pay upfront annual fee provides you with 12 months access for the price of 11 months, so you get a month for free. You cannot cancel the annual membership until your annual renewal is due.