Youngsters at seven Lanarkshire schools and nurseries will begin trialling an outdoor learning programme next year which aims to support pupils in connecting with nature.
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is launching Learning About Forests (LEAF) with a pilot running from January to July, with the hope of opening it up to all schools in August.
South Lanarkshire pupils at Carmichael Primary in Biggar, Craigbank Primary in Larkhall, Glasgow Oakwood Busy Bees in Rutherglen, Grand-Y-Care Academy in Lanark and St Vincent's Primary in East Kilbride will take part in the programme; along with those at North Lanarkshire facilities Calderview family learning in Airdrie and Craighalbert Centre in Cumbernauld.
A total of 55 schools and nurseries from 21 council areas will be part of the pilot and will take part in training to help support them in working through the award, and their feedback will help shape the award to make it as accessible as possible.
Nicola Davidson from Keep Scotland Beautiful told Lanarkshire Live : “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, which helps schools and nurseries 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 with the aim of giving 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.
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