The World as Our Classroom
At Dunnet House, we're fortunate to have something most schools can only dream of: twelve acres of grounds overlooking the Pentland Firth, within easy reach of coastline, moorland, and some of Scotland's most spectacular natural environments.
We don't treat this as a pleasant backdrop. We use it as an extended classroom, weaving outdoor learning through every aspect of our curriculum.
Our Forest School Programme
Every child at Dunnet House participates in weekly forest school sessions in our dedicated woodland area. This isn't 'play time' in the traditional sense — though play is absolutely central to what happens. It's structured, progressive learning that develops skills, confidence, and connection to the natural world.
In our forest school area, children learn to:
- Build shelters and assess risks
- Light and manage fires safely
- Use tools appropriately
- Identify plants, trees, and wildlife
- Work collaboratively on practical challenges
- Develop resilience through all-weather learning
Beyond the Forest
Our outdoor learning extends far beyond the woodland:
Coastal Studies: The Caithness coast is one of the most dynamic environments in Britain. Children study rock pools, observe seabird colonies, investigate coastal erosion, and develop a deep understanding of marine ecosystems.
Moorland Exploration: The Flow Country — Europe's largest blanket bog — lies on our doorstep. This unique environment offers unparalleled opportunities to study peat formation and carbon cycles.
Historical Investigation: Caithness is rich in archaeological sites. History here isn't abstract — children can touch the same walls their ancestors built.
All Weather Learning
We're often asked: "But what about the Scottish weather?"
Our answer: that's part of the learning.
There's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Children at Dunnet House develop resilience precisely because they learn to work through challenging conditions.
Come and See
Photographs can't capture the feeling of watching children completely absorbed in building a shelter, or the pride on a face when a fire catches for the first time. If you'd like to see our outdoor learning in action, we'd be delighted to arrange a visit during a forest school session.
Mr Iain MacDonald
PE & Outdoor Learning Lead