Welcome to Growing schools
Welcome to the Growing Schools website which has been designed to support teachers in using the ‘outdoor classroom’ as a resource across the curriculum for pupils of all ages.
Growing Schools is a government programme which aims to encourage and inspire all schools (nursery, primary, secondary and special) to use the outdoor classroom, both with and beyond the school grounds, as a context for learning across the curriculum. It focuses in particular on food, farming and the countryside.
Schools can use the site to find information on health and safety, funding sources, published research, training, resource materials and places to visit and news and events. It also provides case studies on outdoor learning and school grounds development.
The site has been designed so teachers can search by subject and key stage and will soon feature a ‘schools network’ offering teachers the opportunity to tap into local community expertise and knowledge.
Schools can use the site to find info about:
Virtual Growing Schools Garden
A new virtual version of the Growing Schools Garden designed by Chris Beardshaw has been launched, packed full of useful resources and advice on how to create a garden of your own!
Get Your Hands Dirty
New resource to help teachers considering the issues involved in growing plants or keeping animals in your school grounds.
BBC Breathing Places - Schools
A new two year project by the BBC has been launched. Starting with a new growing activity resource.
News
Potato plants flourish around the nation...
as 10,000 schools celebrate the International Year of the Potato.
Potato plants are in abundance nationwide as the 10,000 primary schools taking part in the Potato Council's 'Grow Your Own Potatoes' project' celebrate the International Year of the Potato.
Open Farm Sunday - 1 June 2008
An Opportunity to Feed Your Senses - On Sunday 1 June 2008, hundreds of farmers across the country will be opening their gates to the public. Open Farm Sunday, organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside.
Events
Taking the primary classroom outside
19 June
Led by Eden's education team, this hands-on course will explore how and why the outdoor classroom can be used to deliver and enhance learning for primary pupils.
Open Farm Sunday
1 June
An Opportunity to Feed Your Senses. On Sunday 1 June 2008, hundreds of farmers across the country will be opening their gates to the public. Open Farm Sunday, organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside.
