Learning inside, learning outside

Anne Hunt

Childhood experiences in green spaces

Learning in formal and informal settings

Natural England’s role

Children’s disconnection from the natural environment

Reconnecting children with local green spaces

Schools as catalysts

Fragmented support and evidence

‘Understanding the diverse benefits of learning in natural environments’

• Increasing knowledge and understanding• Developing skills• Changing attitudes and behaviours• Health and well-being• Self-efficacy and self-worth• Benefits to schools, teachers and the wider community• Benefits to the natural environment community

’quality learning outside the classroom contributes significantly to raising standards and improving pupils’ personal, social and emotional development.” OFSTED report (2008) Learning outside the classroom: how far should you go? ‘

Actions for the Natural Environment Sector

‘Beyond barriers to learning outside the classroom in natural environments’

• Confirmed the lack of coordinated, effective support for schools at a local level

• That the barriers frequently mentioned by schools (risk of accidents, cost and curriculum pressures etc.) are underpinned by another set of more fundamental challenges at the very local level.

‘Beyond barriers to learning outside the classroom in natural environments’

The local factors driving teachers’ choices around LOTC(ne)include views of their subject, confidence, competence, self–efficacy and views on effective pedagogy

Actions for the Natural Environment Sector

• Stimulate demand by articulating why LOTC(ne) is important

• Support teachers locally to build confidence and competence for LOTC(ne) - in all teachers, not just those who are already committed

• Work together to stimulate the supply of services to provide opportunities that meet school needs, and that are more coherent and easier to access

Other evidence gathered to inform action

Natural Connections Demonstration Project

Natural Connections Demonstration Project

• 3 year pilot, where need is greatest, testing 4 key elements

– independent local brokerage service – web service– local volunteer development programme – evaluation

• Scale and timing