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| Learning through Landscapes | |
|---|---|
| Name | Learning through Landscapes |
| Formation | 1990 |
| Type | Non-profit charity |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Region served | United Kingdom, International |
Learning through Landscapes is a United Kingdom–based charity focused on outdoor learning, play, and school grounds improvement. The organisation collaborates with schools, local authorities, and charities to redesign playgrounds and promote nature-based activities, linking practice with policy and research to support pupil wellbeing and curriculum delivery.
Learning through Landscapes works across primary schools, secondary schools, and early years settings to transform school grounds into learning environments. It partners with local councils such as Lancashire County Council, national agencies such as Department for Education, and charities like National Trust, RSPB, and The Wildlife Trusts to deliver projects that integrate biodiversity, play, and heritage. The charity engages with stakeholders including headteachers from Eton College, governors from City of London Corporation, and environmental officers from Scottish Government to influence school site management and outdoor pedagogy.
Founded in 1990 amid rising interest in school grounds development influenced by initiatives such as the Millennium Festival and policy shifts following reports by Ofsted and House of Commons Education and Skills Committee, the organisation expanded through the 1990s with support from bodies like Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund, and corporate partners such as HSBC and Sainsbury's. Major milestones included pilot schemes with Natural England, collaborations with Forest School proponents, and European projects with partners in France, Germany, and Netherlands. The charity’s methods evolved alongside research from institutions such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and University College London.
The charity promotes outdoor learning grounded in experiential approaches associated with theorists and movements linked to John Dewey, Maria Montessori, and the Forest School tradition. It advocates multisensory curricula aligned with frameworks from National Curriculum authorities and assessment guidance from Ofsted. Practice emphasises play-based learning evident in programmes influenced by practitioners connected to Play England, Early Years Alliance, and international networks including UNICEF and UNESCO initiatives on child-friendly spaces.
Programmatic work includes grants and advisory services for creating wildlife gardens with partners such as RSPB, nature trails inspired by designs from The National Trust, and playground consultations used by academies like Harris Federation and Academies Enterprise Trust. Training offerings draw on methodologies used by Royal Horticultural Society and City & Guilds accredited courses. National campaigns have engaged ministers from Prime Minister of the United Kingdom offices and educational campaigns promoted through events at venues such as Kew Gardens and Royal Society symposia.
Impact assessments reference studies from universities including University of Exeter, University of Manchester, and University of Sheffield demonstrating links between outdoor provision and outcomes cited by agencies like Public Health England and NHS England. Evaluation reports have been commissioned by funders including Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation showing improvements in physical activity, social skills, and attainment metrics reported by local authorities such as Camden Council and Leeds City Council. International comparative work has engaged researchers from Harvard University, University of Toronto, and Monash University.
The charity operates with a board of trustees drawn from sectors represented by organizations such as National Trust, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and academic partners from University of Birmingham and University of Glasgow. It collaborates with government departments including Scottish Government education units, regional bodies like Greater London Authority, and delivery partners comprising NGOs such as Groundwork and Sustrans. Corporate and philanthropic funders have included Barclays, Lloyds Bank Foundation, and charitable trusts including Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
Critiques have arisen around resourcing and equity issues similar to debates involving House of Commons Public Accounts Committee reports and sector discussions with National Audit Office scrutiny, noting disparities between well-funded academies like Eton College and under-resourced schools in areas such as Tower Hamlets. Challenges include aligning outdoor provision with inspection regimes from Ofsted, meeting health and safety expectations influenced by Health and Safety Executive, and sustaining long-term maintenance amid local government budget pressures reported by Local Government Association. Operational constraints have also been compared with tensions faced by NGOs in reports from Charity Commission for England and Wales.