Two Dumfries and Galloway Schools have been recognised nationally for their approach to during lockdown, increasing time outdoors and balancing on and off-screen learning.
Education Scotland has published a national overview of what worked well for learners and their families and has included Sandhead and Drummore primary schools for their Virtual Nature Schools.
Education Scotland commended the approach taken to work with families to make sure that there were no barriers to learning outdoors and equip staff with the skills to deliver high quality child-led outdoor learning.
Chair of the Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor Learning Group, David Maxwell, said: “Outdoor learning is thriving across Dumfries and Galloway. There is now a substantial base of national and international evidence about the benefits of taking learning outdoors. The impact of outdoor learning on children and young people’s health and wellbeing, wider achievements, attainment, and personal development is increasingly being recognised by our schools and their communities.”
Chair of the Education and Learning committee, Councillor Jeff Leaver, said: “The approach taken is a great example of a school listening to pupils and parents and developing local solutions and removing barriers to make sure everyone could be involved.”
Vice Chair, Councillor Ros Surtees, said: “Families and staff were concerned that children were spending too much time learning on-screen and together they planned outdoor classrooms to get children off devices and learning outside.”
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/supporting-remote-learning/national-overviews/sharing-what-s-working-well/a-balance-of-live-learning-and-independent-activity/
