Cullen kids set to join pilot outdoor learning scheme
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PUPILS at Cullen Primary School will begin a pilot of outdoor learning aiming to help kids connect with nature.
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful are launching the Learning about Forests (LEAF) pilot programme in January 2023.
The programme will run until July with the hope of opening up LEAF to all schools in August.
Fifty-five schools from 21 local authorities will be part of the pilot and will take part in training to help support them in working through the award.
Feedback from the pilot schools will help Keep Scotland Beautiful shape the award to make it as accessible as possible.
Cullen Primary headteacher Carene Hay said: "We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the schools taking part in the LEAF pilot programme through Keep Scotland Beautiful.
"Outdoor learning provides many rich opportunities for children to connect with their local environment and learn about the natural world right on their doorstep. We hope to use the learning resources and courses provided by this programme for staff to extend their knowledge of outdoor education and for the children to engage in a range of different activities which will help them to build their skills for life, learning and work.
"We will be using not only our local woodland areas but also our beach and other outdoor spaces, such as our playground. This programme will lead to our school earning the LEAF Award and help to develop our outdoor curriculum further."
The school's application to participate in the programme was guided by P6 teacher Kirsty Hart
Nicola Davidson, Education and Learning Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented: “We are delighted to announce the 55 schools that will form our LEAF pilot programme.
“These schools, while working towards their Learning for Sustainability goals, are also helping us develop the programme for other schools in the country.
“By participating in the LEAF programme pupils will gain a better understanding of the natural world and learning lifelong lessons about their environment and how to protect and promote it.”
LEAF is a programme from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). This programme is an exciting opportunity for schools and nurseries to meet their Learning for Sustainability goals whilst supporting pupils to connect with nature.
The key focus of the LEAF programme is to promote and expand outdoor education and connection with nature for young people. In doing so, it hopes to give young people a deeper and more involved understanding of the natural world.
There are important benefits for pupils who take part in LEAF due to increased access to outdoor education and connection with nature, including improvements in focus, mental wellbeing and academic outcomes.
