THE Countryside Team at East Devon District Council have been successfully awarded the lead coordinating roles in a new phase of the Natural Connections Demonstration Project, currently being delivered by Plymouth University on behalf of DEFRA, Natural England and English Heritage.

Natural Connections is one of the largest outdoor learning projects in the UK and has been running since October 2012.

The project aims to increase the number of school aged children experiencing the benefits that come from learning outside the classroom in their local natural environments (LINE). It is all about working with teachers to use LINE across all curriculum areas and to promote healthy schools.

This new two year phase of the project, which is called ‘Naturally Healthy Devon Schools’ will work in areas of multiple deprivation, focussing on primary schools in Exmouth.

As the new ‘Hub leader’ for East Devon, Meg Knowles, Education Ranger with the Countryside team, will be working directly with Exmouth schools to support teachers to build LINE into their planning and day to day teaching practices.

The project aims to build confidence and encourage school aged children, teachers and parents to regularly interact with Devon’s natural environment in order to improve their health and wellbeing, as an integral part of the Curriculum.

The project also seeks to encourage volunteering opportunities in schools to support LINE.

"I have a strong belief that, as well as bringing curriculum learning to life, outdoor learning supports children’s social, emotional and behavioural needs.

It enables positive relationship building and leads to more physically active children who are then far more ready to learn," said project hub leader, Meg Knowles.

"The opportunities offered by outdoor learning also give teachers new skills and inspiration to develop more creative lesson plans.

"This exciting project will support teachers by offering professional development, advice, funding, networking and opportunities to observe best practice over the next two years. Teachers want to build more confident and independent learners, because this leads to more children realising their potential, and learning in the natural environment readily supports this.’

The Naturally Healthy Devon Schools Project is funded by Natural England, the Devon Local Nature Partnership (through the Devon Education for Sustainability Working Group), Devon County Council and CPRE Devon [The Campaign to Protect Rural England].

CPRE Devon works to promote the protection of the Devon countryside, whilst maintaining a balance between appropriate development and a tranquil, productive and beautiful environment.

Margaret Hall, Chairman of East Devon CPRE said: "With the help of a legacy, we are keen to expand our work to develop an interest and appreciation of the countryside in children.

"We are really pleased to be able to provide major sponsorship for the Naturally Healthy Devon Schools Project.

"We are looking forward to working with the Countryside Team at East Devon District Council and with Natural Learning in North Devon.

"We feel it is so important that children connect with the natural environment and experience first-hand the countryside on which we all depend’.

David Weatherly who leads on Outdoor Learning at the Devon LNP said: "There is growing evidence of the positive impact that regular interaction with the natural environment can have on the physical, mental and spiritual health and well-being of children and young people, and it is one of the priorities of the Devon LNP.

"The natural environment in Devon is spectacular and the LNP welcomes this initiative to enable more of our young people to be inspired and exhilarated through experiencing it first-hand. The project will be of great benefit to communities in East and North Devon." 

John Holmes, Natural England’s Area Manager added: "Every child in England should be given the opportunity to experience and learn about the natural environment - outdoor learning also encourages children to be more active while they learn.

"Natural Connections already runs in Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon and we have now secured funding for this exciting expansion to other towns in the County.

"The work that the two new Hub Leaders will be doing with schools in Exmouth and North Devon is going to be a great opportunity for teachers and school communities to build their confidence and skills in using the natural environment for children’s learning across the curriculum.

"Feedback from teachers and schools so far has been overwhelmingly positive so it is great to see the project spread into new areas of Devon with a focus on healthy lifestyles." 

Throughout March and April, Meg will be recruiting Exmouth schools.