Learning Outside Formal Education: current and completed projects

Natural Connections Demonstration Project 

Commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Natural England and English Heritage, the £600,000 Natural Connections Demonstration Project led by Sue Waite, Dr Rowena Passy and Ian Blackwell aims to encourage and support schools in building learning outdoors into their everyday practice. Through a model of cascaded responsibility in five areas of high deprivation in the south-west of England, the project has recruited 125 schools, and a further 70 schools have been involved in teacher continuing professional development events. Schools have been involved in a wide range of activities that include developing sustainable approaches to learning outside. Early project research findings from teachers suggest that learning outside engages pupils with learning, has a positive impact on their behaviour, develops children’s social skills, and improves their health and wellbeing. There is also some evidence that these foundational aspects to learning contribute to higher attainment.