Our Green Schools programmes works with nursery, primary and secondary schools offering age appropriate outdoor learning sessions in school grounds, local parks and greenspaces. Building on children’s natural curiosity and delight to be outside we offer a range of outdoor learning, environmental education and nature connection activities that encourage discovery, exploration and a deeper understanding of the natural world. Sessions are delivered by our Green Schools and Communities Officer, usually by electric cargo bike! Green Schools can support delivery of the following awards:
The majority of our work is with Edinburgh schools in areas of high multiple deprivation working with children and young people experiencing disadvantage.
Training for teaching staff
We offer a range of training courses and CPD opportunities to nursery, primary and secondary school staff which link outdoor and environmental activities with the curriculum and build confidence to deliver outdoor learning in local parks and greenspaces.
We often use storytelling as part of outdoor learning. A number of nature stories have been told in the outdoors and are now freely available for you to use as part of outdoor learning and literacy – examples include How snow got its colour and The Dawn Chorus. Simply click on the “online nature stories” title above to access them.
The Green Team has also produced a number of environmental activities linked to the stories. If you use some of the stories or activities, please share this with us on twitter. We would love to see what you are doing in the outdoors!
If you are interested in booking a Green Schools activity or would like to receive additional resources for any of our nature stories, please contact our Green Schools Co-ordinator