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.
RHS - Campaign for School Gardening
This exciting new development, supported by Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins, takes RHS support for schools to a new, ambitious level. With on-line support, and a network of regional advisers from 2008.
News
Hampton Court success for Plumpton
Plumpton College is proud to announce that a garden designed by a former student has won a prize at the RHS Hampton Court Flower show.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew launches search for the new Darwin
Royal Botanic Garden, Kew (RBG Kew), is on the look out to find the next Charles Darwin!
Events
BGEN Conference: How do we Learn?
5 November to 7 November
Come to the world-renowned Eden Project and be inspired... three themes are currently being worked on including environmental education research, learning in nature and learning strategies. A must for everyone's calendar - lots more details to follow!
Countryside Live - Lee Valley Park
25 September to 26 September
Countryside Live is a country fair for school children organised by The Countryside Foundation for Education (CFE). It is a fun and educational event, with links to the National Curriculum and covers areas like new life and growth, people and places, caring and products and materials.
