Major campaign to inspire children through outdoor learning
Children will be going outside to learn as part of a major campaign to get them more in touch with the environment.
Desks and chairs will make way for grass, ponds and games outside during Empty Classroom Day, which also heralds the launch of the new Natural Connections programme.
Eight city schools have so far signed up to the three-year project, which is led by a partnership between Plymouth University and Natural England, and aims to get 40,000 children in 200 schools across the South West outdoors and loving what they learn as well as where and how they learn it.
The project is designed to help teachers take pupils outside more, using activities and venues to inspire children and teachers in subjects from across the whole curriculum, from mathematics to music, biology to physics, languages to literature.
Learning in natural environments can transform pupils’ and school performance by increasing teaching and learning standards, allowing innovation and helping to inspire children.
Despite evidence about the benefits of playing in woods, fields, parks or shore, recent surveys show that most children are lose touch with their local natural environment – and those who live in cities are particularly at a disadvantage, leading to childhood obesity and mental health issues.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: “It’s great to see our schools involved in a project that will get young people feeling closer to nature and inspire them in so many ways.
“This looks set to be one of the largest outdoor learning projects in the UK and we’re delighted that our children will be part of it, together with our city’s university which once again is at the forefront of a project with such far reaching benefits.”
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Nicky Williams said: “We are all aware that children today play outdoors less and less and spend more time in front of the TVs and computer screens.
"Here in Plymouth we recognise this and are actively trying to do something to counter this trend, by making our green space and woodlands attractive and better used through activities projects such as Stepping Stones to Nature.
"Natural Connections not only takes pupils and teachers outside – it will arm them with knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas – which are so vital to engaging with young people.”
Plymouth City Council is the hub leader for the city and staff will support schools and help them adapt their grounds for more outdoor learning as well as set up peer support among schools.
Natural Connections aims to support teachers in schools which currently provide little or no learning in natural environments. The scheme will:
- Work closely with teachers and outdoor activities providers
- Encourage a network of support and collaboration between schools, fostering links with communities by recruiting volunteers to help teachers deliver outdoor learning.
- Identify ‘beacon schools’ that are actively engaged with outdoor learning to support other local schools which have little or no regular learning outside.
An online resource has been created for teachers with outdoor lesson plans and places to visit, as well as ideas and funding suggestions.
Other schools taking part in Plymouth include Torbridge High in Estover, Courtlands Special School in Crownhill, Mayflower Primary in,Ham, Eggbuckland Community College, Victoria Road Primary in St Budeaux, Yealmpstone Farm in Plympton and Beechwood in Southway.
A more specialist detailed press release which gives more information about its regional launch in Bristol is available from Natural England.
