As of 2019 there were approximately 32,770 schools in the UK, and it is to be expected that the large majority of these have outdoor areas for children/young adults to 'burn off steam'. When we think about these outdoor play areas, we imagine manmade structures such as swings, slides and climbing frames. However, for the most part it is just a concreted space with a range of court markings. None of which really enriches children or supports wildlife

This can be easily changed!

There has been extensive research conducted into many areas of education and nature. Much of it indicating the physical and mental health benefits natural spaces can have on children/young adults of all abilities. Which I think most of us can agree is extremely important now more so than it ever has been in our lifetimes. Alongside this is the crippling decline of our wild spaces and our dying species populations, with one of worst countries for biodiversity loss, being the UK.

By simply transitioning tarmacked and sterile school playgrounds to areas filled with native grasses, trees, shrubbery, and wildflower, we will not only be allowing children to have an all round more enriching play space, that will encourage curiosity and allow them to safely explore and connect with their natural surroundings. It is also a small step in a direction to help benefit UK biodiversity and link species, that are currently limited by urbanisation and intensive agricultural practices to the additional resources they so desperately need.

Cover photo references

Sonning Common Primary. (2015). KS1 playground with kids. [Online]. Sonning Common Primary. Available from: http://sonningcommonprimary.co.uk/our-school/photos/no-delete-our-school-2015-16-ks1-playground-with-kids/ [Accessed 22nd Sept 2020].

Royal Horticultural Society. (2020). Wildlife Ponds. [Online]. Royal Horticultural Society. Available from: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=622 [Accessed 22nd Sept 2020].