A Clydebank primary school has benefitted from a project to encourage learning outdoors.

Linnvale Primary is one of 115 schools in Scotland supported by the Learning in Local Greenspace project, aimed at using nearby green spaces, such as parks and woodlands, for outdoor learning.

Learning outdoors has been shown to improve the health and wellbeing of pupils, and can also have a positive impact on behaviour and engagement, in turn leading to better attainment.

Carol Guthrie, a teacher at the school, said: “This project has completely changed where we do our outdoor learning now, we have continued to explore the local area and now use it regularly with all stages of the school.

"My confidence in taking the children out regularly and to support colleagues to get outside too has grown as a result and the children really enjoy seeing the variety of wildlife which is out there as well as getting to explore and enjoy simple pleasures such as looking for tadpoles, sampling brambles or splashing in the puddles!”

An evaluation report found that, as a result of the project, the percentage of teachers taking learning outdoors in their local greenspace regularly rose from 28 per cent to 49 per cent, while teacher confidence in doing so increased from 54 per cent to 85 per cent.

Following the project, more than a third (37 per cent) felt that their pupils had a good connection to nature, compared to just 19 per cent previously.

The percentage of teachers who believed their pupils’ engagement in learning outdoors was good or excellent also increased from 56 per cent to 79 per cent.

Sue Munro from NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency who leads the campaign, said: 

“Nature is the best classroom of them all, and immersing young people in it regularly has huge benefits, both for physical and mental health and for educational engagement and attainment.

“We’re delighted that despite the challenge of Covid 19, this project has been successful in encouraging outdoor learning in schools across Scotland, particularly in some of our most deprived areas.

“Connecting more young people with nature from an early age can also help us tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, ensuring the next generation grow up to value and protect it.”