the educator mag Jan 26 - Flipbook - Page 38
9 out of 10 primary school parents
think spending time in nature
should be part of school curriculum
• WWF launches nationwide Happy
by Nature initiative to tackle green
space inequality in UK primary schools
Nine in 10 (91%) parents with primary
school-aged children (aged 11 and under)
think spending time in nature should be
part of the curriculum, according to new
research by WWF [i], published today to
launch the charity’s new primary school
programme.
As millions of children return to school
after the summer holidays, many face the
prospect of spending their breaktimes in
grey and uninspiring playgrounds.
Across the country, natural features like
grass and trees have been removed from
school grounds leaving them dominated by
materials such as tarmac, rubber
crumb andastroturf, with schools
increasingly building
playgrounds and fixed play
equipment on artificial surfaces
that absorb and retain heat in the
summer, provide little shade and
shelter, and are prone to flooding.
The new research findings reveal
almost half (45%) of UK parents
with children aged 11 or under
don’t think their child spends
enough time outdoors, despite
almost nine in 10 (88%) believing
that spending time in nature is a
very important part of growing
up. An overwhelming majority
have noticed the positive impact
of spending time in nature:
• Almost nine in 10 (88%) say spending time
in nature improves their child’s physical
health.
• 86% say it has a positive impact on
general mood and wellbeing.
• 80% say it improves behaviour.
• Over three-quarters (77%) say it improves
concentration.
• Just under three-quarters (72%) say it has a
positive impact on academic performance.
Many parents want to see change, with
green spaces such as gardens, trees and
playing fields topping the list of facilities
they want to see improved at their primary
school. WWF’s research shows almost half
• Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall joins WWF
as new ambassador to help all children get
their daily dose of nature
of parents (46%) would prioritise the
improvement of green spaces in their child’s
school, while over a third (36%) would
prioritise sports facilities and one in five
(20%) would prioritise arts facilities such
as music rooms or drama studios.
However, despite the clear benefits of
spending time in nature, 70% of primary
schools don’t offer daily opportunities for
their children to connect with the natural
world [ii] – and the gap is even wider in
low-income communities, where just 18%
of students have daily access to nature,
compared to 52% in more affluent schools [ii].
• A new learning platform: Inspiring primary
school pupils to explore and protect the
natural world, including a live lesson
programme featuring wildlife presenters
live on location.
• Removing barriers: Partnering with
organisations to provide outdoor gear so
no child misses out.
Steve Backshall – wildlife presenter, father
of three young children and WWF’s new
ambassador – is supporting Happy by
Nature:
“I’m really proud to be supporting WWF’s
Happy by Nature
initiative. Nature has always been a lifeline
for me – from my earliest
memories right through to now,
as a dad watching my own kids
light up when they’re outdoors.
“But far too many children are
missing out on those magical
moments in nature. By making
time outdoors a regular part of
the school day, we can open up a
world of discovery, learning and
joy – and help raise a generation
that’s not only healthier and
happier, but more connected to
the world around them.”
That’s why WWF is launching Happy by
Nature – as part of its flagship Prescription
for Nature campaign – to help children
connect with nature every day, starting
with those who need it most. Aiming to
reach one million children by 2028, the
charity’s mission is to help schools across
the country turn grey playgrounds into
better spaces to experience nature and
embed it into everyday learning and play,
ultimately giving every child the chance to
have a daily dose of nature.
Through its programme, WWF is supporting
schools with:
• Funding & expertise: £100,000 fund for 10
pilot schools to green their outdoor spaces.
• Free toolkits: Practical guidance for all schools
to improve nature-based play and learning.
Tanya Steele, CEO at WWF, said:
“Our research shows that
spending lots of time in nature
can be life-changing for children
– lifting their mood, improving behaviour
and concentration. Not every school has a
woodland on its doorstep, but with a little
imagination even a bare playground can
become a place where wildlife and children
flourish together.
“As another school year swings into action,
we’re determined to give every child the
opportunity to experience a daily dose of
nature – just 20 minutes a day can make
all the difference to their wellbeing and
future.”
WWF is urging schools and teachers to
help pupils get their daily dose of nature
at school by exploring the charity’s Happy
by Nature Hub [iii] and signing up for free
resources designed to support nature-rich
learning environments and outdoor
experiences.
