There is a brilliant phrase popular among outdoor educators: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
At Great Staughton Primary Academy, they live by this rule. Their Forest School sessions are a core part of how they teach children team-building, communication, and environmental awareness. The children get outside, build bug hotels, cook over fire pits, and learn to navigate risk safely in the great outdoors.
But let’s be honest for a second. When the British weather takes a turn, and the wind is howling at gale-force speeds, staying outside for hours isn’t just uncomfortable—it can quickly become unsafe.
So, what does Great Staughton do when the elements conspire against their outdoor lesson plans?
They retreat into their school yurt.
During a particularly harsh stretch of winter weather, Great Staughton’s Mars Class used their on-site yurt as a safe haven from high winds. Inside the warm shelter, the lesson didn’t stop. They gathered around to discuss the natural environment and why it’s important to care for it. As soon as the gale-force wind died down, they stepped right back outside to hang the pinecone bird feeders they had crafted.
The yurt didn’t disrupt the outdoor learning experience; it preserved it.
Why a Yurt is the Ultimate Secret Weapon for Forest Schools
Many schools want to offer a robust outdoor education curriculum, but they hit a wall when winter arrives. A standard timber shed feels cramped and cold, while running back to the main school building completely breaks the immersion of being “out in nature.”
A dedicated school yurt solves this problem perfectly:
- Instant Weather Relief: As Great Staughton demonstrated, when wind or torrential rain threatens a lesson, a yurt offers immediate, sturdy shelter without needing to abandon the outdoor mindset.
- A Unique Sensory Space: The circular design, wooden lattice walls, and high canvas ceilings of a yurt create a calming, magical atmosphere. Children don’t feel like they are trapped in a regular classroom; they feel like they are on an adventure.
- The Perfect Basecamp: It serves as a central hub where children can store their gear, gather for briefings, dry off, or transition between hands-on outdoor tasks and reflective indoor writing or scientific discussion.
Bring the Magic of a Yurt to Your School
If you want to elevate your school’s outdoor learning curriculum and ensure your Forest School stays active 52 weeks a year, an outdoor classroom is the answer.
At Yurt Specialists, we design and install bespoke, durable, and weather-resistant structures tailored specifically for educational environments. Our school yurts provide the exact blend of practical shelter and natural immersion that schools like Great Staughton use to keep children thriving—come rain, wind, or shine.
