Through Our Schools, Our World we aim to enable children and young people to develop a close connection with nature and in particular our local biosphere.  This nature connection is the crucial first step towards fostering pro-nature and pro-environmental behaviours in children and adults, as documented in the University of Derby’s Nature Connection Handbook.

At school, connecting with nature needs to be through regular, planned experiences in the school grounds, local neighbourhood and on school trips.

Here’s some local spaces for outdoor learning opportunities if you would like to plan a trip. However, outdoor learning activities can also take place in your playground, even if you think there’s a lack of nature! Check out some of these resources from National Education Nature Park. 

 

Welsh Harp Environmental Education Centre

15 acre woodland, with ponds, a stream, meadow, indoor teaching facilities and a car park.

Their programme provides inspirational, year round, learning outside the classroom experiences for Early Years Foundation Stage – Key Stage 2 ages. Children can discover nature across the seasons, develop new skills, and build confidence through discovery of the natural world.

 

Nature Connection Centre (Roundwood Park)

This first of its kind Centre, resulting from a collaborative project, with a wide range of partners and supporters including Roundwood Café, Brent Parks Department, Brent Parks Forum, Brent Environment Network, key local councillors and community groups and forums (e.g. Harlesden Neighbourhood Forum) and others beyond Brent (e.g. London National Park City Foundation).

Offers child, school and adult education sessions for nature connection and outdoor learning. Welcoming community space and edible garden with new a water harvesting and composting system.

There are a lot of active Friends Of groups in Brent. Why not reach out to your local park’s group and see if any local engagement sessions could be run by volunteers?

Here’s a list of all the parks and open spaces within Brent where you could run your own activities.