About Our After School Clubs
The Great Out-tours after school clubs bring the wonders of the countryside to primary school children, right on their school doorstep.
Our clubs are fun, practical and hands-on, giving children the chance to explore nature, learn new skills and enjoy fresh-air activities at the end of the school day. Each session is led by trained Great Out-tours facilitators and uses the school grounds and surrounding outdoor spaces as the learning stage.
What Happens at a Club?
Every club session is built around our Four Seasons Activity Learning Programme, which follows the changing seasons and helps children connect with the natural world around them.
Children might investigate wildlife, create something from natural materials, take part in a team challenge, explore the school grounds, learn about countryside skills, or make something special to take home.
The aim is simple: children learn while having fun. Our activities encourage curiosity, confidence, independence, teamwork and practical outdoor skills.
Activities Your Child May Enjoy
Activities vary by season, school and local area, but may include:
- Nature hunts, wildlife spotting and countryside surveying
- Wild wood crafts and creative seasonal makes
- Birdwatching, bug hunting and outdoor discovery games
- Practical environmental education linked to Science, Geography, Art, Design & Technology, English and Maths
- Seasonal food and countryside activities, such as apple pressing or making simple wild produce treats
- Team activities that build confidence, self-esteem and cooperation
- Special animal or farm-linked experiences in selected Great Out-tours areas
Every term is different, so children can keep discovering something new.
Why Parents Choose The Great Out-tours
Our clubs offer children a positive alternative to screen time and a chance to reconnect with the outdoors after school. Parents often tell us their children come home excited, full of stories and proud of what they have made or discovered.
We are also serious about safety and care. Club instructors are DBS certified, trained in safeguarding, and lead instructors are trained in Emergency First Aid at Work. Our nationwide in-school programmes and after school clubs are supported by public liability insurance and activity risk assessments.
We have a long 11 year history of working with Farmer John and The Great Out-tours - it is a wonderful club that offers the children so many exciting opportunities.
We always knew it was part of the fabric of the school, but we never realised how embedded it was.
During a recent OFSTED inspection, The Great Out-tours was raised on several occasions. The Lead Inspector first raised it when he asked about the club - he said it sounded fun and was interested to find out more about it.
On the day of the inspection, when the Inspector spoke to the pupils, three children spoke confidently and passionately about their attendance at The Great Out-tours.
In his feedback to the School Governors, the Lead Inspector again talked about The Great Out-tours, the positive impact it had on the pupils, and the wonderful image he had of Farmer John...based on the children's description!
Paul Cox – Headmaster
Dallington CE Primary School
The Great Out-tours understand clearly the importance for young people to appreciate and value their environment.
They manage to achieve that perfect balance where children learn and develop while having lots and lots of fun!
Their programmes are perfectly pitched and they open up whole worlds of discovery for the children.
I recommend them without reservation.
Ed – Headmaster
How to Sign Up
Signing up is done online through the Great Out-tours Club Enrolment system.
To enrol your child:
- Go to the Club Enrolment page.
- Choose your school or find your local club on the map.
- Select the club or term you would like your child to join.
- Complete the parent or guardian details and your child’s information.
- Confirm the club terms and conditions.
- Submit the enrolment and pay securely online.
If you already have a parent account, you can sign in to view enrolments, payments, renewals and child details. If you are new to Great Out-tours, your parent dashboard account will be created automatically when you complete the enrolment form.
If a club is full, your child may be added to the waiting list instead.
Ready to Join?
Give your child the chance to explore, create, discover and learn outdoors with The Great Out-tours.
"I just wanted to say a great big thank you for all your hard work & enthusiasm, in making The Great Out-tours after school club so educational, exciting and fun. I would also like to say thank you for always engaging with my sons and talking to them on their level. It really means a lot to us as parents, and for them to feel excepted and cared about, goes a long way to building their confidence and self esteem. I wish you a very Happy Christmas and we will see you in 2018.
Best Wishes."
"Such a great club and great team. They always seem to go the extra mile."
"Farmer John showed us an awesome trick to make leaves into fish skeletons!"
"Thank you Farmer John and the team. Rudolf is happily on the top of the tree at home. Santa is next to the fire place. Thank you for all your hard work. Have a great Christmas! (Both craft items referred to are made from wildwood)"
"John is always fantastic when working at Dallington CEPS. He is always happy, full of enthusiasm and ready to support everyone. John is very child centred; this is evident in his activities, approach and communication. He is totally focused on the children and their learning. I would not hesitate in recommending John to run a club at your school."
"Fantastic Club - highly recommend - Fabulously caring and creative people. Love The Great Out-tours."
"This is my daughter's nature wheel which she couldn't wait to do following being shown at club!"
"This is such an inventive and socially positive club; no wonder that spaces are limited. Farmer John's club, whilst amazing for his current clients, surpass anything my children have done and remove them from their technology. Following a recent organised visit, they beg me to take them back to Farmer John's farm.
Why not try a Great Out-tours club for your children, especially if you are concerned over the time your child spend on their technology!"
"Lambs are looking strong Farmer John, especially the Charollais x Texel."
"Thank you for my lovely 'surprise' Mother's Day wild wood mobile gift, made by my son at your after school club!"
"Well Done!! Mr B.. Always coming up with new ideas. Inspiring the young is so very rewarding in this day and age of instant 'entertainment'. Putting young minds to the test is so gratifying. If we, as adults, don't have imagination, how can we expect the young to have it, it needs feeding, and you do it beautifully.."
"Thanks Sam.
Just wanted to say thank you for the lovely Mother’s day present that the children made last week.
My son was so happy and proud of what he made when he presented it to me on Sunday, he was beaming. It has taken pride of place in our hall way for everyone to see when they come into the house.
Your ideas and enthusiasm shows though to the children, I just wanted to say a personal thank you.
Keep up the great work."
"Such a wonderful team. xxx"
"My son loves going to your club; he gets so excited in the morning knowing what he has to look forward to at the end of the school day! He has been so animated when coming home and into the evening, trying to tell his dad and myself all that he has done. It is lovely to hear!"
"I have known John for over four years, whilst he has provided an after school club at our school. He has always conducted himself in a professional manner, whilst engaging and educating our pupils in the varied activities of The Great Out-tours."
"I am so proud of my very own Woolly sheep made at Parkside after school club! Thanks Farmer John!."
"Thank you so much for looking after my son and being so kind on Wednesday.
My son has been desperate to do The Great Out-tours for over a year but was a bit teary as it was his first time at an after school club. He had a wonderful time and said he was looked after by Vetty and is looking forward to next week.
Thank you all for your time and giving the kids the opportunity to take part in a great club."
"The club is brilliant; keep up the good work."
"Thank you Sam! Oliver absolutely loved his first day at your outdoor club! His bird feeder is duly hung outside and he is desperate to photograph a bird on it for you!! X"
"Such a great club. Congratulations Great Out-tours."
"Well done John! I saw the BBC bus at the Heathfield fire station. The interview was great! (Hear the BBC correspondent, Allison Ferns' interview with The Great Out-tours Founder, John Brooksbank, by visiting our Facebook page and visiting the 02.10.17 video post.)"
"We have our first flower from the flower bomb made by my son at Cross In Hand Primary after school club. Thanks."
"Inspired by the wooden angels my son made at Farmer John's after school club, we made larger versions for Christmas gifts. Everyone loved them! Thanks."
"My son loves your club Sam - thank you for the Easter gifts! X"
"A wonderfully useful 'wild wood valentine heart mat' gift made as a surprise by my best little fella! Thank you John & The Great Out-Tours team!"
"Thank you for all that you and your team do for the children! It's a great club!"
"The boys LOVED today and what beautiful crafts! Thank you Sam, such a great club."
"Farmer John, you are an amazing chap, inspirational!!"
"Such a fantastic club!"
