Learning through Landscapes, The UK School Grounds Charity

Clackmannanshire Council worked with Grounds for Learning to develop a coherent and effective Authority-wide plan to improve all primary school grounds in order to deliver benefits for children's learning, health, sociability and happiness.

The project was based on integrating outdoor spaces into the Council’s School Estate Management Plan [SEMP]. Every Council in Scotland is required to produce a SEMP for the Scottish Government – so this process can be readily adapted by any other council that wants to derive more benefit for children from this significant asset.

What was it?

Step 1 was to identify long term authority-wide management objectives for school grounds, which linked clearly to the Authority's Strategic Objectives.

Step 2 was to carry out an assessment of school grounds across the Authority using an electronic self assessment audit tool developed specifically for this project. This tool helps schools assess the quality of their outdoor spaces for learning, health, sociability and sustainability, highlights areas of strength and identifies key development needs. Most schools were able to complete the assessment in around half an hour and found the process helped them to understand the potential of their grounds better. [Incidentally, the audit tool can also be used to help a school that's embarking on a new grounds development project or for post occupancy evaluations.

Step 3 involved reviewing the audit findings and assessing different ideas and approaches to developing the estate. Having accurate data on the quality of school grounds for different purposes was vital in making the case for financial investment.

Member No:

Who was it for?
Every primary school in Clackmannanshire will be given support to develop its own 4-year improvement plan and access to technical support and a budget to take this forward. [All Clackmannanshire’s secondary schools are new PPP schools]. Pupils will be heavily involved in developing plans and implementing them to maximise opportunities for learning and citizenship.

To find out more.
To find out more about our self assessment audit tool or asset management planning for school grounds please contact aseaman@ltl.org.uk

"In the schools of yesteryear, an area of tarmac and muddy grass constituted the playground. Today, the integration of pupils with additional support needs; the emphasis on formal PE and informal active play; changes to the curriculum promoting active learning; the demand for social spaces plus a recognition of the contribution that attractive grounds can make to the ethos of a school mean that school grounds have to change"
Rosemary Champion Schools Assest Manager - Clackmannashire Council

Programme Partners
Clackmannanshire Council