Page 12 - The Land Trust Annual Review 2016-17

Education and Learning

Green spaces are great places to learn about nature, the 93% OF SCHOOLS
environment and for promoting life skills. We are committed to
creating spaces that can become outdoor learning and training SAID OUTDOOR
venues and resources to connect people with nature, something
which at the national level, Government department Defra LEARNING
recognises as important. There are a range of opportunities, from IMPROVES PUPILS’
supporting school visits by providing outdoor classrooms and
hosting forest schools, to encouraging adult learning and training. SOCIAL SKILLS

NATURAL ENGLAND 2016
Outdoor classroom creation
Outdoor classrooms give pupils the chance to learn directly from
and within nature. Children are really enthusiastic about the natural
world and these spaces encourage them to continue learning about
and caring for our wildlife and the environment in which they live.

This year, working with the local primary school, we have created
an outdoor classroom area at our site in Upton, Northamptonshire.
The area where children can explore and learn about the nature
around them includes benches made from tree trunks, bug hotels
and nesting boxes. Since it was opened in January 2017 it is
being used weekly and over 500 children have already visited.
The landform sculpture, Northumberlandia, near Newcastle,
attracts a host of educational visitors keen to find out more about
the natural environment. Using a grant from Tesco Bags of Help,
we have developed the woodland classroom and trail, creating
an outdoor learning area that can host up to 60 pupils at a time.

Sue Gardner, Head Teacher at Upton
Meadows Primary School, said:
“ Working with the Land
Trust to acquire our Forest
School site is going to
be such an asset for

the school. To see the
children experiencing
awe and wonder in the
outside environment
is inspirational and will
benefit all the children
in developing their
confidence, resilience

and self-esteem.”

12 the Land Trust Annual Review 2016/17