Local school nature grants now available

Your school could be eligible to apply for up to £500 worth of outdoor equipment and 2 hours of professional outdoor training from the Local School Nature Grants scheme.

Delivered by the UK’s leading outdoor learning and play charity, Learning through Landscapes, Local School Nature Grants have been helping schools across Great Britain since 2017. Funded by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the grants have so far provided £900,000 worth of equipment to 800 schools. This year it will reach a further 500 schools.

Speaking of the programme, CEO of Learning through Landscapes – Carley Sefton – said: “Local School Nature Grants are a brilliant opportunity for schools to explore the benefits – and ease – of outdoor learning. All packages are customisable, meaning schools can pick and choose from a menu of items and training that best suits them.

“We all know that outdoor learning has huge benefits for children and young people; it enhances creativity, improves concentration and supports mental. It can also have huge impact on teachers and their wellbeing.

“We hope that the programme can break down some of the barriers against taking lessons outside. We want our training and nature equipment to excite teachers so, in turn, they are able to excite their students.”

This year, schools will be able to apply for a fresh range of topics including; eco warrior, fork to fork, buzz for pollinators and create with nature.

Carley said: “It felt important to include topics with more of an environmental focus. It’s clear that this is something our children care about, and so teaching them more about sustainability whilst outdoors can stand as a crucial way to support this.”

The latest phase will open on March 18 with four rounds running throughout the year. If applicants are unsuccessful in one round, they will have the opportunity to apply for the other rounds.

This year, the scheme is also open to non-mainstream schools; including pupil referral units.

Talking about their support of the programme, Laura Chow – head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery – said: “What I love about Local School Nature Grants is that it’s so wonderfully diverse, with children in infant schools, young people in secondary schools and everyone else in between being able to benefit! With over 100 different nature products available, there are plenty of options for schools to choose the products that will work best for their learners.

“Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have funded the programme since 2017 and I’m incredibly proud to see the huge reach it has had and to hear the brilliant feedback from teachers – and students – who have benefited from it.

 “I’m excited to see applications for 2019 and urge all schools to put themselves forward!”

Round one of phase 3 is open from March 18 to April 26 2019. Schools can find out more and apply directly through the Learning through Landscapes website – https://www.ltl.org.uk/projects/local-school-nature-grants/ or can email LSNG@ltl.org.uk for further information.