Yesterday saw the launch of The Growing Schools site. The project’s been a big part of my life over the course of the past 12 months. Twenty short films and a plethora of learning resources are included in this new DCSF flash-based website – all quite lovely, though I say so myself! After all this time, it was fantastic to see it all come together at the Garden and Site Launch in Birmingham, hosted by Chris Beardshaw….

The garden itself first appeared as Chris’ ‘Best in Show,’ gold winning entry into 2007’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. It has now found a permanent home at Birmingham’s beautiful Botanical Gardens, and in its virtual form online, where its representation can permanently bloom for the enjoyment of internet visitors’ from anywhere in the world.

Initial feedback to the new site has been very encouraging. Inspired and informed by the recent Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, its purpose is to give teachers the opportunity to journey into the world of outdoor working, with lots of ideas and information about what to do and how to do it. I hope teachers enjoy and learn from this resource and that it serves to inspire cross curricular outdoor working in schools all over the UK.

Long live Learning outside the classroom!

http://www.thegrowingschoolsgarden.org.uk/