Over a quarter of schools in England are transforming their sites for nature
More than 7,500 schools, nurseries and colleges across England are now taking part in the free National Education Nature Park programme.
Commissioned by the Department for Education and led by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society, the programme supports young people to transform school grounds from “grey to green” by creating nature-rich spaces such as ponds, wildflower meadows, green walls and grasslands.
Since launching, students have mapped more than 13 million square metres of habitat—equivalent to around 10,400 Olympic-sized swimming pools—with over 1,100 schools completing detailed habitat maps of their sites. So far, pupils have delivered more than 1,200 habitat improvements, including over 100 wildflower areas.
The initiative aims to connect children with nature while embedding environmental learning across the curriculum. By taking part, students develop green and digital skills, contribute to biodiversity research and gain hands-on experience that boosts wellbeing, responsibility and engagement in learning.
More than £12 million in grants has already been awarded to over 1,250 education settings, with a further £3 million announced to support another 1,000 schools—particularly those in areas of higher deprivation and limited access to green space. Funding covers equipment, planting and specialist support.
Schools across England have embraced the programme for example, in Plymouth, Keyham Barton Catholic Primary School converted a tarmac space into a calm, plant-filled environment and launched a vegetable-growing project.
Education Minister Josh MacAlister said the programme is helping thousands of children connect with nature while supporting wider government investment in school facilities and enrichment. The scheme has also attracted royal interest, with the Prince and Princess of Wales recently meeting participating students at the Natural History Museum.
As the programme enters its third academic year, organisers hope to expand further, including into early years settings, continuing their goal of empowering every child in England to take action for nature and their own future.
The full annual report can be read at www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/annual-report.
If you are thinking of transforming your school’s outdoor space, why not introduce raised beds and planters made from eco-friendly, low maintenance recycled plastic for an instant transformation to a greener playground. Contact our expert team today as we can design bespoke planter shapes to fit your space perfectly as we did at Kingstone Primary School in Hereford – see main picture above.