Learning Outdoors: Inside Tanzania’s Only Dedicated Nature School at BISA

Our programme is closely based on the highly successful Forest Schools approach from the UK. This child-led educational method focuses on hands-on learning in a natural environment. Rather than being an occasional outing, this outdoor learning is formally worked into our weekly curriculum in Primary, with children accessing the Nature School at least once a week.

The benefits of getting children outside consistently are well-documented: spending time in nature lowers stress levels, improves mood, and boosts overall mental wellbeing. Outdoors, children naturally engage all their senses, breathe fresh air, and have the physical space to burn off energy, which directly translates to better focus when they return to the classroom. It also fosters independence and self-esteem, as children learn to assess natural risks and make their own decisions in a wild, untamed environment.

As you can see from the photos below, our students have been busy making the most of this space. Whether they are working together on den-making, taking bark and leaf rubbings under the trees, or running the dirt trails, the focus is on active discovery.

These weekly outdoor sessions are designed to build real-world skills:

• Creativity and Observation: Drawing and shading natural textures outside encourages students to slow down and look closely at the fine details in their environment.

• Physical Confidence: Scrambling up wild dirt hills, balancing on uneven ground, and navigating the natural terrain builds gross motor skills, coordination, and resilience.

• Teamwork and Communication: Activities like den-building require students to listen to each other, share ideas, and cooperate to reach a shared goal.

Having this dedicated, wild site means our students get to experience nature regularly. They are getting their hands dirty, solving problems in real-time, and developing a genuine, lifelong appreciation for the great outdoors.