The ‘School Grounds Collective’ will create a co-ordinated task force to make a difference to the lives and learning of all children in the UK

Partners from over 40 organisations that work to improve children’s access to outdoor learning, play, nature connectedness, education, climate adaptation, and mental health support, came together in London last week.

The launch event for the School Grounds Collective, hosted by the UK’s school grounds experts, Learning through Landscapes, reflected on the opportunities created by Department for Education’s Education Estates Strategy, a ten-year plan published last month.

This national strategy is a huge leap forward for outdoor space in schools, however with 84% of school grounds still hard surfacing or maintained grass* there is an urgent need for a co-ordinated push to implement changes in schools nationwide.

RSPB, WWF, and Council for Learning Outside the Classroom were just three of the organisations present. Kate Whitehead, Policy Advisor at Natural England, and Jonathan Dewsbury, Director for Education Estates and Net Zero at DfE, spoke at the event, before open workshops to begin to outline what the collective could work to achieve.

Matt Robinson, CEO of Learning through Landscapes, said: “This is the start of something new, a movement – a collaboration that can get around some strong renewed policy, and deliver something really amazing.”

Drawing on decades of experience from across the sector, the School Grounds Collective will advocate for frequent, quality outdoor learning and play, using existing spaces within school grounds more effectively and adapting new spaces within schools to provide richer experiences for pupils.

Supported by investment in policy and training for school staff, and backed by high-quality evidence, a cultural shift towards a more nature-connected, climate-ready approach to school grounds provision is very achievable.

Jonathan Dewsbury, DfE, said that: “Teachers often ask for support and permission. I think the Estates Strategy gives permission, and I think the programs within it give the support. And your organisations will also help to give that support as well. […] This is the start. Let's go further than we have historically and push as hard as we can.”

To join the Collective or keep abreast of developments please email collective@ltl.org.uk

Notes

Who are Learning through Landscapes?

Learning through Landscapes (LtL) is a charity that has, for over 35 years, championed the importance of school grounds as equitable, accessible places for play, learning, nature connection and sport. The 43 staff deliver thousands of hours of training, grants and advice in schools and early years settings every year. Originally formed through research funded by DfE and the Countryside Commission, LtL is proud to have Sir David Attenborough and Jonathan Porritt as patrons of their work.

Why do school grounds matter?

All children in the UK spend up to an hour every day in their school grounds, and for some it is the only safe and green space they can access easily.

We know from extensive research that more time outdoors improves children’s health and wellbeing, raises attainment, widens engagement, builds stronger social ties, reduces disruption in the classroom and opens the door to new careers. Nature rich, well designed school grounds aren’t a luxury, they are essential for every child’s development and daily happiness.

Well-designed school grounds also need confident educators and teachers, who can maximise the play and learning opportunities for children.

It is vital that organisations working adjacent to one another in the school grounds sector have opportunities to pool knowledge, resources and data to implement the ambitions expressed in the new DfE policy. The School Grounds Collective is a way to formalise this work. Together we will create a better school estate, where learning, play and nature come alive every single day for every child.

* 84% of school grounds statistic from the School Grounds in the UK report, LtL and the Field Studies Council

Contact

For further comment, evidence, images or film please contact Hannah Engelkamp at hengelkamp@ltl.org.uk or call 07483 394 790

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