21st Century Schools enhancing outdoor learning for schools

The 21st Century Schools team recently produced a report on outdoor learning for Wick and Marcross Primary School exploring ideas for future development on school grounds.

As part of the report, our team identified the fantastic steps that had already been undertaken in the school to develop their green spaces and support pupils’ learning.

So far, Wick and Marcross have set up many outdoor learning spaces, including a habitat garden project with Year 3 pupils, a Nursery outdoor play project and Forest School Area.

Between them, these projects have seen the installation of raised beds that include a mix of pollinator-friendly species, a bug hotel, hedgehog house and a small pond.

All habits are rife with wildlife and plant species, including wild cherry, horse chestnut, elder and pollinator friendly herbaceous plants. Wildflower seeds have been planted that will develop over the coming year.

In the report, our team also highlighted what more could be done to support biodiversity in these areas, including;

• Introducing aquatic plants, including oxygenators.
• Creating more bird boxes and hotels.
• A camera to be installed in the hedgehog house to monitor its usage.
• More planting, including trees.
• Reducing mowing regime and leaving some parts unmown to create a diverse range of sward heights to encourage insect diversity.

The work of the school and our team ties in with the Council’s wider climate change initiative, Project Zero. As part of the project, the Council aims to increase and enhance green spaces across the Vale. 

The 21st Century Schools team has recently produced and distributed resources for schools to help them enhance and utilise their outdoor spaces for nature, learning and play. This includes an audit for schools to highlight what facilities they already have and what support they might need to create and use more nature areas.

The team is also working with Band B schools to survey the newly created habitat areas as part of ongoing biodiversity monitoring and encouraging engagement with nature. Other primary schools have also undertaken work in line with Project Zero, including Barry Island Primary, who recently took part in an Enrichment Week.

We are keen to promote and share the work of our schools and remind other schools that provision is available for those wanting to enhance their green spaces and develop outdoor learning facilities.

Get in contact:

Advice on enhancing and utilising school grounds - chloejenkins@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Advice on upcoming Local Nature Partnerships grant opportunities – eshaw@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk