Green Earth Schools

Transforming school grounds into nature-rich spaces for exceptional outdoor learning and play.

Through our Green Earth Schools programme, we collaborate with schools 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.

Why now?

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.
84% of the UK’s population live in urban areas, with fewer than 1 in 10 children regularly playing in wild places, compared to 5 in 10 a generation ago.
83% of 8-15 year olds interviewed by Natural England in 2020 said being in nature made them very happy and 73% of 8-16 year olds say they are worried about the state of the planet right now.

Our Approach

Our Green Earth Schools approach is centred on:

Empowering students

to create 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.

Building a lasting green legacy

as these living science labs will be maintained for future generations of pupils to enjoy.

Equipping teachers and educators

with the tools they need to take learning outside, 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.

What we offer...

Creativity Phase

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.

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. The nature feature could be a Tiny Forest, but also smaller interventions better suited to urban-based schools, for example hedgerows, living walls, edible gardens or ponds.

This day includes a whole school assembly and two action-based class workshops using LEGO® Build The Change, see below for more info.

Youth Voice

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, enriching pupil engagement and enhancing green skills in solutions-based thinking and leadership.

Building Phase

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.

Building Day
Through a Green Earth Schools Building Day, pupils take part in hands-on workshops and 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.

Through this enriching learning experience, pupils have the chance to 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.

Living Walls

Hedgerows

Edible Gardens

Ponds

Rain Gardens

Actions for wildlife

Educator Training

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.

Creating Impact

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.

“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

From the pupils...

Bygrove Primary School & Sacred Heart RC Primary, 2023

How did it make you feel to get to design your own nature-based solution?

It made me feel amazing that my voice would be heard and that I would design a part of my playground
It made me feel like had a voice
It made me feel really responsible and it helped me to get creative and think what would the other younger children would like
I felt inspired because there are many nature based ideas to help the Earth
It felt like we (as children) were included and proud to design a garden because normally adults do this job
It made me feel like my opinion mattered and I was heard. I also felt empowered and privileged

Why do you think it's important to create nature-based solutions?

So we can have oxygen and animals can have a home to live in
To support, respect, preserve and protect our environment because it helps us in our day to day lives
Because it helps create a better future for everyone
So children in the future will be able to have all these things we have today

Interested in becoming a Green Earth School?

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.

Find out more about the LOtC

Would you like to become a Green Earth Schools Supporter?

Contact our Earthwatch Europe Development team here: Email us!

Stay in touch

We'd love to know how you're getting on - please let us know on our social media channels or by email!

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Video credits: YOKE Creative
Photo credits from top: Earthwatch Europe, YOKE Creative, Charles Etoroma, University of Surrey, Markus Spiskebk, Anna Williams, Living Walls UK, Mika Baumeister.