Going for growth

In-nature learning has proven benefits for children. Now it's time for schools to take it more seriously.  

- Beth Finney

In her youth, my grandmother ran nature classes for the local primary school. She'd show them how to plant seeds and grow berries and tomatoes on the edge of the school field. Since then, in-nature learning has become less and less prevalent in the curriculum, until now that is. Often spearheaded by enthusiastic members of staff, schools up and down the country are reintroducing hands-on nature education into their school day.

"Our headteacher thought it would be a good idea for the school to offer enrichment clubs," says Kim Abidoph, a learning mentor at Streatham Wells Primary School. "We grow fruit and vegetables through the year and we give the staff and parents the opportunity to buy some."

Flourishing minds