Outdoor spaces are ‘central to learning’

Children from Silverstream Primary School in Greenisland have been embracing the great outdoors as part of an annual initiative.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jun 2014, 16:07 BST
Primary seven pupils with teacher Claire and Alison Diver, of Carrickfergus Borough Council. INCT 25-755-CONPrimary seven pupils with teacher Claire and Alison Diver, of Carrickfergus Borough Council. INCT 25-755-CON
Primary seven pupils with teacher Claire and Alison Diver, of Carrickfergus Borough Council. INCT 25-755-CON

To mark National School Grounds Week, Alison Diver and Lisa Haggan, from the Parks and Countryside Department of Carrickfergus Borough Council, held two outdoor fun days at the school.

National School Grounds Week is a ‘Learning through Landscapes’ programme, during which pupils hang out bunting and have a fun time learning and playing outdoors.

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Silverstream children took part in interactive games and activities such as nature bingo and nature scavenger hunts. The nursery class created art in the form of bees and flowers.

Alison said: “School grounds have been in the news recently with groups calling for the government to introduce a minimum amount of outdoor space legally required in our schools.

“For some children, school grounds may be the only open space they have access to.

“Numerous studies have linked our children’s health and well-being to access to outdoor space which is central to their learning and development.

“With this in mind, it is more important than ever to get children outside to enjoy nature and their school grounds.”