Developing your school grounds for wildlife
School grounds are essential to children’s learning and development, providing opportunities for healthy exercise, creative play, making friends and learning through experiencing the natural world. School grounds can be biological deserts or vibrant open air classrooms thriving with wildlife and can provide a rich learning and play environment. There are many sources of information and advice, funding opportunities and case studies for improving schools grounds to benefit local wildlife and the whole school community
Local guidance and advice
For local advice on how to bring wildlife into your schools grounds, contact one of the following organisations:
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
People and Wildlife Manager, Steve Ashton
Tel: 01287 636382
Email: sashton@teeswildlife.org or visit www.teeswildlife.org
Groundwork South Tees
Environment Education Officer, Andrea Bishop
Tel: 01287 625326
www.groundwork-southtees.org.uk
Middlesbrough Environment City
Eco-Schools Education Officer, Brian Yule
Tel: 01642 811306
Email: mec.projects@classmail.co.uk or visit www.menvcity.org.uk/Eco%20Schools.htm
National sources of information on school grounds
- Learning Through Landscapes helps schools and early years settings make the most of their outdoor spaces for play and learning. Learning Through Landscapes believes that all children have the right to enjoy and benefit from well designed and managed school grounds. Visit www.iti.org.uk
- Growing schools is a government programme which aims to inspire and encourage all schools to use the outdoor classroom, both within and beyond the school grounds for learning across the curriculum.
The Growing Schools website is a joy to visit. It has been designed to support teachers in using the outdoor classroom as a resource across the curriculum for pupils of all ages. Visit for information on funding sources, published research, training opportunities and health and safety.
www.teachernet.gov.uk/growingschools/
Also visit the Growing schools virtual demonstration garden at www.thegrowingschoolsgarden.org.uk/
