School Grounds as Resources for Play and Learning

Many schools are aware of the value of enhancing their grounds as a resource for learning and for creating opportunities for children’s play and discovery.  There is also a growing awareness that the quality of the school environment has implications for children’s values and attitudes towards the environment and raises broader issues concerning social relationships, disability, race and gender. This popular event will explore current thinking on school grounds development, and in particular the need for an approach which aims to support schools in achieving sustainable projects for which the whole school community has ownership.  The role of voluntary organisations in this process will be looked at using practical examples and case studies.  The event will be of benefit to teachers and to staff or volunteers in organisations involved in assisting schools to enhance the use of their grounds for environmental education, learning and play.
 
OBJECTIVES
 
By the end of the event you will:
• be aware of how to identify, understand and respond to the needs of schools in relation to the use and development of their grounds
• have explored how to help schools develop ownership and sustainability of their projects
• understand approaches to involving the whole school community in the process of school grounds development
• have explored the potential of school grounds as a cross curricular resource
• understand how the school environment influences children’s behaviour through the hidden curriculum
• have an awareness of the physical, human and financial resources available to schools
 
THE TUTORS
Andrew Simons is Head of Centre at the Centre of the Earth - the Wildlife Trust’s sustainable development education centre in Birmingham.  He has worked for many years in environmental education, working with young people in a variety of settings and providing training for teachers, play and youth workers.  Andrew has also co-authored a publication on school grounds for Birmingham LEA.  Karen Limbrick is a Landscape Architect and former Natural Curriculum Project Officer for the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. The Project seeks to enable whole school communities to experience nature in their school grounds through practical projects and educational activities. Karen now works freelance as 'Ground Designs' and is an Accredited Trainer with Learning through Landscapes.
 
THE VENUE
The Centre of the Earth is the Wildlife Trust’s purpose designed and built inner city sustainable development education centre. The Centre has worked with the local community to develop its grounds as a resource for play and learning. Situated about 2 km from Birmingham city centre, it is easily accessible by public transport and road, with free parking on site. The Centre has wheelchair access. (A location map will be sent out with course joining instructions.)  Refreshments and a light buffet lunch will be provided within the event fee.