A learning community in nature that supports the educational path of primary school children (1.º ciclo, ages 6 to 10) whose families have chosen home education. The group runs in Almada, Monday to Friday, from 13 September 2027 to 30 June 2028. In the 2027/2028 school year we will only take children who are in Year 1 (1.º ano).
Learning Lá Fora 6-10 offers a stable peer group, close support from an educational team and an ongoing relationship with the natural world, creating a real context for learning with others and with the world around them. Learning experiences follow the principles of Forest School and of the Modern School Movement (Movimento da Escola Moderna), bringing together outdoor learning, knowledge built cooperatively and children's democratic participation.
Choosing home education places the family at the centre of the child's educational path, and also gives the family the responsibility for organising it. Meeting the curriculum and assessment remain with the family and with the host school where the child is enrolled. Escola Lá Fora's activities add to that path and do not replace it.
Learning takes place through projects, independent study time, and other hands-on experiences in pairs, small groups, and as a whole class, allowing us to integrate the various areas of the curriculum while always respecting each child’s pace, interests, and needs.
Field trips to the community extend these experiences to the surrounding area, allowing children to explore its spaces, resources, and people and to participate in community life.
We value autonomy and cooperation as fundamental to the co-construction of learning and the development of children’s sense of belonging to this learning community.
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The group has 15 children, supported by two teachers and one assistant.
Opening depends on a minimum number of enrolments. The group starts once 12 enrolments are confirmed. Until then, each enrolment is recorded as a pre-enrolment, with no payment. If the minimum is not reached by 31 May 2027, we will let every pre-enrolled family know and nothing will be charged.
To pre-enrol, please use the form on this page. If you have any questions, contact us: +351 913 795 220 or almada@escolalafora.pt.
Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 4.00 pm (drop-off from 8.30 am)
Extended hours (subject to a minimum number of enrolments): 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm
Breaks: 20 December to 2 January, 28 February to 1 March, 3 to 17 April
Enrolment fee: €400 (insurance included)
Monthly fee: €550
Extended hours: €80 per month (only if there is a minimum number of enrolments)
Meals can be brought from home or provided by an Escola Lá Fora partner, at an extra cost.
No. Learning Lá Fora 6-10 is a learning community in nature that supports the educational path of children whose families have chosen home education. Although learning experiences take into account the reference curriculum documents for compulsory schooling, we are not a formal school and we do not replace the educational responsibility of families. Parents and guardians organise and are responsible for their children's educational path, while Learning Lá Fora 6-10 offers a context for learning in nature, a stable peer group and support from an educational team.
Projects play a central role as a way of building cross-disciplinary knowledge and developing skills. Independent Study Time is another key moment, allowing children to consolidate and deepen their learning according to their own needs. There are specific times for Portuguese and Maths, Arts, Physical Education and ICT, organised in different formats: whole group, small groups, pairs or individually.
On Wednesday afternoons there are Workshops, where family or community members share their knowledge in curricular or extracurricular areas.
We also go on outings in the community, to get to know and explore the places and cultural resources in the surrounding area.
Each week, work is planned and reviewed in the cooperative council, a whole-group meeting on Mondays and Fridays in which children take charge of their own learning path.
Children are free to choose where they want to work, gradually taking responsibility for their choices. Nature is, however, a powerful ally in creating real and meaningful learning experiences, so adults encourage being outdoors and it is a core part of our daily life. The aim is to let children choose the setting that best suits what they are learning.
Meals can be brought from home or provided by an Escola Lá Fora partner, at an extra cost.
Pre-registration is done through the form on this page. Once we receive it, the Almada team will contact you to arrange a visit. If you have any questions, contact us: +351 913 795 220 or almada@escolalafora.pt.
Children are welcomed in the forest from 8.30 am and, at around 9.00 am, start their day with a group meeting to plan the day. Activities range from research projects to curriculum work (Portuguese, Maths, Environmental Studies, Physical Education or ICT), with a mid-morning break for a snack and play. They have lunch and play from 12.00 to 2.00 pm. This is followed by independent study time and Arts (Music, Visual Arts and Drama). The day ends at 4.00 pm with a closing meeting to reflect together on the day, and an afternoon snack.