St Paul's CE Primary Brighton - Outdoor Classroom

The outdoor classroom and development of the wildlife garden will be essential in helping St Paul's school devise a climate action plan by 2025 as set out by the department of education.

Based on the programme devised by https://www.ourcityourworld.co.uk/ we will be looking at:
• developing an environmental education curriculum gradually and systematically ‘greening’ the curriculum and supporting the development of green
•⁠ ⁠enabling our children to develop a close connection with nature to support health & wellbeing and develop pro-sustainability behaviours, for example with the planned introduction of a regular 'Outdoors club' after school
•⁠ empowering our children and their families to become change makers both personally and collectively and develop climate leadership skills in young people

Action plan:

This could include decarbonisation • adaptation and resilience • biodiversity  • climate education and green careers 

Zones of impact: 

Children’s learning and attitudes • Staff knowledge and confidence • Family attitudes and engagement • Progress against Climate Action Plan

Our strategy will consider: 

staff training, surveys of staff, pupils and families, nature connection with regular parents and children's gardening/outdoor clubs, assemblies and action, curriculum review and net zero audits

Studies have shown outdoor learning can improve children’s physical and mental wellbeing by expanding their horizons and enabling them to learn in and about the outdoor environment and climate change, especially since Covid. 

Children are increasingly isolated from the natural world, learn behind screens and suffer from a substantial rise in mental health issues. Scientific studies show that outdoor learning can reduce stress, improve mental health and enhance concentration. Spending more time connecting with nature can help to spark children’s creativity and imagination, and according to DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), ‘children engaged in learning in a natural environment have higher levels of achievement in reading, maths and science.’ As part of our campaign, the school are championing the department of Educations 'climate change' awareness programme and greener school curriculum.

The PFA’s total fundraising target is £20,000 and we are tremendously grateful for any contribution that will bring us closer to achieving our goal.

*Any excess funds raised will go directly towards other environmental related PFA projects. 

https://www.stpaulsbrighton.co.uk/Outdoor-Classroom-Project/

Press Coverage:

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24198793.brighton-school-plans-sheltered-outdoor-learning-space/#comments-anchor