Grounds for Learning

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GROUNDS FOR LEARNING

Children may spend up to 25% of their school day in the grounds, many of which consist of tarmac or grass. The aim of Grounds for Learning is to transform under-used playgrounds into stimulating outdoor space to support all areas of the 5 - 14 and Early Years Curriculum.

Features include child-centred landscapes with opportunities for imaginative play and socialising with seats and quiet areas. A variety of habitats encourage wildlife and provide a range of experiences of growing trees, flowers, fruit and vegetables. Such resources enhance many subject areas within the 5 - 14 curriculum and personal development.

See this link to PlayLink.

Educational establishments can apply for grant aid to support these developments. FEL can give advice by phone or email about these developments in the Stirling area.

Outreach Programme
	Through our outreach programme of support for schools, nurseries, out-of-school care centres, early years educators, at very reasonable rates, we offer advice, training and sometimes grants to support teaching the curriculum outdoors. Some information is also available here online. This includes help with: Surveys Biodiversity Survey Sheet (1) Biodiversity Survey Sheet (2) Design and planning of your outdoor space Suppliers Our list of suggested suppliers Underground information NBRead this before you dig! 1)Underground mapping information 2)Details of companies which deal with underground damage prevention On-going maintenance of your grounds Maintenance advice Curriculum planning See how much of the curriculum can be delivered outdoors Growing food An easy guide to what to grow and when Wildlife gardening and tree planting Sensory experiences information Scavenger hunt sheet List of topics covered by materials available in FEL's Resource Library Art projects and imaginative play Things to learn from planting and growing A treasure hunt (early years) A list of planting themes for ideas for using your school grounds for inspiration and resources GFL funding Educational establishments can apply to FEL for grant aid to support school grounds developments, as FEL is the local delivery mechanism for the nationwide Grounds for Learning (GfL) grant. See below for more details or contact us. Further funding information *Bright New Scotland* : pdf on funding sources National Children's Bureau: Children's Play Information Service factsheet on how to raise funding for playgrounds *Eco Schools Scotland* also have a useful page on funding on their website A new fund not mentioned above is Playground Partnerships Another local fund for Clackmannanshire and Stirling only is the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust Landfill communities fund Please note FEL takes no responsibility for content contained in the above websites.
Grounds for Learning Grants
	Our grant scheme is no longer in operation. From 1999 to 2009 we distributed more than £100, 000 on behalf of Stirling Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Landfill Tax fund for improving outdoor spaces for learning and teaching in educational establishments in the Stirling area. Funding is still available, however, and we can advise and support work in this area – please contact Forth Environment Link to discuss how we can help. Three primary schools in the Stirling area - Gartmore PS,Kincardine-in-Menteith PS , East Plean PS- have so far benefited from our special development award which enabled them to work as a team with FEL project staff and Susan Humphries. Susan is a renowned environmental educator and the inspiration behind the Coombes infant schoolin Berkshire, which leads the world in innovative holistic education. Development of the use of the grounds in the curriculum with the whole school community has led each school to an enhanced relationship with its outdoor space.

Kinder Garden Project
	We worked with the staff, children and parents at eight nurseries in Social Inclusion areas of Stirling Council to help them to develop their outdoor areas for teaching and play along Grounds for Learning principles. The project, funded by the New Opportunities Fund (now The Big Lottery Fund) started in November 2004 and ran for two years.
Biodiversity Project
	Biodiversity has a key role to play in helping children understand the importance of a healthy environment. FEL's Biodiversity Officer works with schools and community groups to help spread the message in an exciting and stimulating way. Find out more about our biodiversity work.

Training
	In-house staff training sessions in all aspects of use of outdoor resources is available from FEL's Grounds for Learning team. In addition, we offer Stirling headteachers the opportunity to make a two-day "Heading Out" study tour to Coombes School in Berkshire, which has become a benchmark for good practice in outdoor curriculum delivery.

Grounds for Learning Scotland
	We work closely with Grounds for Learning Scotland.

©2006 Forth Environment Link, Room 7, Stirling Business Centre, Wellgreen Place, Stirling FK8 2DZ
Tel: 01786 449215 To find us see map
info@forthenvironmentlink.org • www.forthenvironmentlink.org

Outreach Programme