ARE YOUR PUPILS ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM?

The award winning Lime Orchard garden design team would like to share with head teachers and school governors the undisputed educational, environmental and social benefits associated with having a wonderful school garden. As a business we've an established track record in the creation of inspirational, RoSPA approved, outdoor classrooms. But as you will be aware, alfresco learning is not just about the aesthetic appeal of an outside space .

outdoor classroom with stage that covers a sandpit

A survey of 700 schools and early learning settings, commissioned by Learning through Landscapes (the national school grounds charity ) in 2003 proved that schools which have invested in and improved their outdoor facilities for pupils, experience significant tangible benefits such as

• enhanced pupil behaviour (73% of respondents)

• a reduction in bullying (64% of respondents)

• improved attitudes towards learning (65% of respondents)

• better social interaction (84% of respondents)

• increased community / parental involvement (66% of respondents)

If you needed further evidence to support the importance of outdoor learning the government's growing support of this initiative is a clear indicator:

Nursery School Garden Design - Rutland

In 2001 The Growing Schools initiative was launched. Growing Schools provides the framework, support and resources to help deliver many other government programmes, in particular Every Child Matters, Learning Outside the Classroom, Healthy Schools, Sustainable Schools
In 2006 the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto was launched and since then more than 1698 organisations and individuals have signed up. In 2009 the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom was established to officially take over responsibility for the manifesto
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Ofsted's October 2008 report evaluates the importance of learning outside the classroom and demonstrates that high quality learning outside the classroom is a significant factor in raising standards and improving personal development.

Outdoor classroom using natural materials to add texture A further argument to drive the delivery of effective outdoor learning facilities has to be the fact that with space at a premium in most schools and nurseries and the media keen to hype up the phenomenon of the overcrowded classroom, it makes perfect sense to take advantage of an existing resource and capitalize on its full potential.

BETTER PLAY AREAS

Reported in a recent article by Horticulture Week (click to read more) , the 10 principles for successful play spaces in set out by the Department for Children, Schools & Families are:

Successful play spaces:

are "bespoke";
are well located;
make use of natural elements;
provide a wide range of play experiences;
are accessible to both disabled and non-disabled children;
meet community needs;
allow children of different ages to play together;
build in opportunities to experience risk and challenge;
are sustainable and appropriately maintained; and
allow for change and evolution.

You may also be familiar with the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, which aims to encourage and support schools to create and actively use a school garden. Set up to encourage all schools to get growing, and to acknowledge the right of every child to get involved in gardening and to demonstrate the value of gardening in enriching the curriculum, teaching life skills, and contributing to children's mental and physical health, the campaign provides an excellent example of the heightened significance of the role gardens have to play in a child's development. At Lime Orchard, we have a wealth of experience of working with schools (pre-schools, primary and secondary schools) to deliver exceptional outdoor learning spaces. Our award winning garden design team was involved in the creation of the 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show show garden "The Marshalls garden that kids really want", which was awarded an RHS Silver medal.

At Lime Orchard we are able to combine a deep understanding of the far-reaching educational benefits of a school garden with an appreciation of the aspirations of the children for whom the garden is being created. We can work with you to create a bespoke outstanding outdoor learning resource. Our service provides a complete solution, from initial design concept right through to a quality installation delivered by experienced local landscapers.

"It made me aware that funding was avaliable to develop our site for outdoor classrooms. It's a tremendously exciting route to go down and Lime Orchard helped me to realise this potential "

Andy Marriot - Head Teacher, Stanhope School, Notts

Lime Orchard Design Director Ian Dexter talks about his experience designing

gardens for kids, both at Chelsea Flower Show and for schools and nurseries

around the UK.

But how can this be funded?

Nursery School Garden - Rutland There are now a number of routes to achieve funding of up to 100% for a school garden for the early years (1-5). The first is capital Grant Funding which is accessible to the private, independent and voluntary organisations sector.

The second funding stream is through Better Schools for All, available for 3 yrs (starting in 2009) and designed to satisfy the National Framework for children aged 1-5.

In addition to this government funding, further opportunities for financial support are available through the Royal Bank of Scotland's Supergrounds Awards for Primary Schools which allows RBS employees to nominate their local school for an award. Any school (nursery, primary or secondary) participating in the RHS Campaign for School Gardens can also apply for an Alan Titchmarsh Garden for Schools Award (£500).

RECENT PROJECTS

Designed and built by Lime Orchard in April 2010 for a nursery school in Oakham, Rutland

The design sets out to increase play, creativity and interaction within the space. Being a very flat ext. site the aim is to introduce exploration, stimulation and journey within the area. This is achieved by introducing height, mass, division, texture and bold visual elements. Curved screens with circular, step through openings create tantilising views through to new areas of play activity. A grass knowle brings much needed greenery into the space and the rest of the area divides into water play, a trike track, sand play, sound play, & sensory planting.

Originally, the area was entirely tarmac which became intollerably hot in the summer. The knowle allows the children to explore their world from an elevated yet safe height and its inclusion encourages creative play, a soft environment for them to lay on, roll down and provides a location for stories to be read.

A Paper-bark Cherry planted at its centre provides much needed shade and has fascinating, peeling bark to encourage the children to interact with their natural environment. In Spring an abundance of blossom decorates the tree and falls like confetti with a gentle breeze.

A sound sculpture was created from saucepans, collinders & other bric a brac chosen for their musical qualities when struck.

We would be delighted to meet with you to discuss the opportunities that exist in relation to the creation of a school garden, if you would like to find out more about Lime Orchard's school garden service:

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