Green Shoots with Holyrood High
For a small group from Holyrood High School, an 8 week Green Shoots programme was a real highlight of the school year.
Green Shoots is a Green Team programme for young people (S1-S3) to connect with nature during the school week.
Green Shoots primarily supports young people who are marginalised and often find it difficult to engage with mainstream education.
We provide a supportive and inclusive space for young people to connect with the natural world, themselves and others in a small group setting.
Through a range of practical outdoor activities and young person led sessions, young people can develop skills that give them the confidence and resilience to deal with a range of life’s challenges.
Holyrood High School and The Green Team
The group aged 11-12 from Holyrood High School met weekly for 8 weeks, each week a different place and a new adventure. The group enjoyed a range of green spaces and settings from Jock Tamson’s Gairden, Craigmillar and Bonaly in Edinburgh, onto Gullane Beach, then Dalkeith and Vogrie Country Parks, Inveresk and 3 Hares Woodland.
Throughout, the focus on nature connection and play-based activities helped nurture individual confidence and team building. Inspired by Forest School learning, participants also developed their conservation and basic wilderness skills, with the opportunity to complete their Saltire Award and Scottish Junior Forrester Award by the end of the programme.
As you can see, there was a great mix of work, rest and play as the group spent time together and individually. Along the way, trees and hedgerows were planted, gorse was cut back and some outdoor cooking and essential hammock skills were learned!
Long-standing relationships
The Green Team’s long-standing partnership with Holyrood High School is a great example of collaborative working, as we continue to build on the relationship and tailor our Green Shoots approach to each individual, group and school.
More about Green Shoots
The Green Shoots Programme is for pupils in S1-S3 who are currently experiencing challenges within their school or home lives and are keen to grow and develop in a safe and inclusive environment in a natural setting.