Transforming school grounds into nature-rich spaces for exceptional outdoor learning and play.
Through our Green Earth Schools programme, we collaborate with schools, putting student voice at the centre of the project, to create the optimal nature features for their grounds to support outdoor learning.
We help students build a strong connection to nature and use their voices to drive solutions-based approaches to environmental challenges. These skills and experiences are essential in creating inclusive pathways to the green careers that are needed to tackle the climate crisis.
Green Earth Schools builds on our successful Tiny Forest project which has enabled us to work with over 70 schools across the UK, engaging students with quality green space in urban areas.
Now we have 26 Green Earth Schools across the UK.
School Selection
Our priority is working with schools in urban locations, where access to nature is most limited and with a focus on reaching underserved communities.
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There is inequality of access to green areas. 1/3 of UK households don’t have adequate access to green spaces close to where they live, with fundamental disparities disproportionately affecting children from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and those living on a lower income.
92% of teachers are concerned about climate change, yet 70% of teachers have not received adequate training to educate students on climate change, its implications and how these implications can be addressed.
83% of the UK’s population live in urban areas. Urban residents have a higher risk of hypertension and psychological stress than rural residents which can be reduced by spending time outside. However, 1 in 5 households in England do not have access to at least one green or blue space within a 15-minute walk with this number higher in urban areas.
88% of 8-15 year olds interviewed by Natural England in 2023 said being in nature made them very happy and 87% said that they wanted to do more to look after the environment.
to design a quality green space in their school grounds that they can access and enjoy on a daily basis, and enabling them to take positive action for our planet.
Creativity Day
Once a school is selected, we run a creative consultation workshop with students and teachers to design the nature feature, tailored to their requirements and the site.
We decide where the outdoor space will be made on the school grounds, then we take students to this space. Asking them what they want to hear, see, feel, and do in this space - if it was completely up to them. We ask them how we can incorporate nature - and remind them of the many benefits nature brings.
The outdoor space could include hedgerows, living walls, edible gardens, sensory planters, fruit trees, or even ponds! It will always reflect any practical school requirement as well as student ideas.
This day includes a whole school assembly and two action-based class workshops using LEGO® Build The Change, but what is LEGO® Build The Change? See below for more info.
Through Green Earth Schools, we are supporting the LEGO® Build The Change mission to give children a voice and use their ideas and visions to inspire leaders around the world.
We are collaborating with LEGO® Build The Change as a powerful tool for children to express their hopes and dreams for the future with LEGO® bricks and other creative materials, plus their own imagination.
Through a Green Earth Schools Creativity Day, children and young people will learn about the environmental challenges facing our planet and urban spaces, and explore Nature-Based Solutions. Pupils will then be given the creative platform to re-design and re-build their own school grounds, first with pens and paper, then with LEGO®. This enriches pupil engagement and enhances green skills in solutions-based thinking and leadership. Plus, involvement in designing the space increase students responsibility of it once it's built.
Design creation
We combine together pupils' designs and teachers' input, with expert guidance from our Research Team and external Landscapers to create a final design that brings to life a combination of pupil voice and effective Nature-Based Solutions.
Build Day
Through a Green Earth Schools Build Day, pupils take part in hands-on workshops, learning to create their very own nature space and living science lab in their school grounds.
Led by our education team, pupils are given the opportunity to further expand their climate literacy, exploring environmental challenges and solutions on a local scale, and building essential green skills for their future.
Students strengthen their connection to nature, and create a space that will not only benefit themselves and nature now, but also leave a legacy for years to come.
From edible gardens and planters to living walls, hedgerows and ponds – our selection of nature features caters for all spaces, big and small.
At Earthwatch we believe that educators are incredible agents in preparing the next generation for the environmental challenges that lay ahead.
Green Earth Schools teacher training seeks to build educators' knowledge, confidence and motivation to lead impactful environmental and outdoor learning, inspiring their children and young people to build curiosity of the natural world, create solutions-focused thinking and build a foundation of strong scientific knowledge of the environment.
Teachers are guided through practical workshops on using their new nature space for curriculum-based learning, citizen science activities, building climate literacy and exploring eco-anxiety in children and young people with a focus on building connection to nature. We also tailor training to each school by discussing location specific barriers that may be preventing schools from utilising outdoor learning.
In March-May 2023, we delivered a pilot programme with Bygrove Primary School, East London & Sacred Heart RC Primary School, Battersea, London to become the very first Green Earth Schools.
Since then we've worked across the UK and now have 26 Green Earth Schools set up.
“Our school is situated in a densely populated part of London with very few green spaces. Many of our children live in flats without access to garden spaces. Our children love being in nature for their learning & play so opportunities to engage with nature are valuable. Opportunities to engage with nature are also important elements of our curriculum, particularly the science & geography learning. As well as a way to enhance learning, we believe that access to nature & green spaces is integral to high well-being & happiness.”
Fiona Durnian, Head of School, Bygrove Primary School
Futher impact...
The Growing Together (GT) initiative, in Partnership with Admiral, has further embedded outdoor education into Green Earth Schools across South Wales. This project builds both expansion and deepened support for existing Green Earth Schools, encouraging the formation of a community across South Wales that can support each other on their outdoor learning journey. Features of this program include Art, Nature, and Wellbeing workshops, Community Events, Teacher Training, teaching resources and a ‘Sharing Experience’ webinar. Over 2026, the first year of running
432 Students and 103 Teachers directly engaged with the Growing together Project.
Over 3000+ student indirectly reached, as a result of teacher training.
432 students directly engaged in Art, Nature and Wellbeing workshops.
79 Teachers participated in Teacher Professional Development.
106 individuals engaged in community events.
100% of pupils discussed different pathways to nature connection.
92% of students described how it felt to be in nature during the workshop.
Please register your interest in our fully-funded Green Earth Schools programme below! If you would like support completing this expression of interest form, please contact education@earthwatch.org.uk and we would be happy to assist.
We have been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge! The only national award that recognises both learning and safety for learning outside the classroom providers and is endorsed by the Department of Education.