Creating Outdoor Learning Space

For those involved in the management of outdoor spaces you can play an important role in creating excellent outdoor space for learning. New schools and major refurbishment projects can be designed for biodiversity, but opportunities also exist to create biodiversity projects in existing school grounds which will support the curriculum.

You can support teachers in taking learning outside by

• Designing with biodiversity in mind
• Enhancing biodiversity in school grounds   
• Linking your school to local biodiversity projects
• Supporting an annual survey of species and habitats
• Managing school grounds to support species and habitats
• Establishing regular support from LBAP/ Ranger services/ Conservation groups

Connecting learning and life

Pupils learn by what they observe and experience out of class. A well designed school estate that enhances biodiversity will underpin messages about biodiversity from classroom teaching.

Curriculum for Excellence

The science section of curriculum for excellence has a whole section dedicated to biodiversity and interdependence   that requires pupils to observe, identify, classify and investigate species and habitats that are 'around' or 'local' to the school.

Curriculum for Excellence offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor learning   in urban greenspaces, in Scotland's countryside or in wilder environments.

Find out how outdoor learning can be used to deliver Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes  .

Case Study - Monifieth High School

Monifieth High has developed a vocational course in Horticulture to provide an alternative curriculum for S3 and S4 pupils. They have developed an area outside their Science department to grow food and are working with local communities to develop their town centre.

Find out more about Monifieth High  .