Wildlife Trust's outdoor learning scheme for children this spring

Nature Friendly Schools gives children from some of the poorest communities opportunities to learn outside the classroom, while supporting their well-being.

The schools in north Essex confirmed to sign up this year include Unity Primary Academy, in Colchester, and Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, in Jaywick.

The local schools which have already been involved in the project are Spring Meadow Primary School, in Dovercourt, Mayflower Primary School, in Harwich, Willow Brook Primary And Nursery School, in Colchester and Monkwick Junior School, in Colchester.

The project enters a new phase at a critical time, after a year when children have been isolated from the natural world.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds are known to have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, especially in terms of access to green space.

Anna Gordon, community engagement and education advisor at Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "Essex Wildlife Trust are so proud to be part of this fantastic project.

"We have worked with ten schools in year one of the project and are just starting to work with a further ten schools.

"We work together with the school to help them to take as much of their learning outside as possible by increasing teacher confidence and improving the outdoor environment available to the staff and pupils.

"At this time where so much learning has had to move on to screens it is great to see children getting outdoors and engaging with exciting hands-on learning experiences.”

The scheme is funded by Defra and the Department for Education - and supported by Natural England.

Nature Friendly Schools aims to work with more than 100 schools – in areas of the highest levels of social deprivation.

The project was initially planned to run over four years, benefitting 100,000 primary and secondary ages pupils.

With funding not guaranteed for the final year, up to 46,000 pupils are expected to take part.