Changes to your school grounds can:
- support student wellbeing and mental health
- offer shade during hot weather
- reduce flood risk
- provide outdoor learning opportunities and physical activity
- support healthy eating through growing food
- support inclusion through small group or club activities
Projects like tree-planting, habitat creation, wildflower meadows, food forests and sensory gardens are low-cost and high-impact. You can even get your students involved in the planting and creation of these spaces.
Find out more about how school grounds can support nature and student wellbeing on the Essex County Council website.
National Education Nature Park programme
Essex schools are encouraged to register for the National Education Nature Park programme. They offer free resources and support to embed climate and nature across the curriculum. Their five step Nature Park process includes activities to help you and your students to:
- understand the existing habitats within your school
- form a closer connection to nature
- learn about scientific environmental practices
- identify opportunities for environmental changes
- make decisions and plans to improve your school grounds
- run awareness and fundraising campaigns
- record improvements in biodiversity
- develop green skills
Reduce flood risk
Changes to your school grounds can help reduce flood risk as well as supporting nature. If you are in a high-risk area, you may be eligible for support. More information on flood risk management is available on the Essex County Council website.
Link to curriculum and inclusion
Nature-based projects link to science, geography, art, physical education (‘alternative activities’), PSHE and food education. They also provide opportunities for:
- student leadership
- extra-curricular activities
- targeted support through inclusion frameworks
Some projects may be eligible for ECC’s Inclusion Framework funding. Speak to your Inclusion Partner for more information.
More advice on opportunities and how to maximise the benefits to students through the development of your school grounds, is available from Active Essex.