The Birmingham Botanical Gardens has recently received the Learning Outside the Classroom award for its work with youngsters, particularly centred on its Growing Schools Garden designed by Chris Beardshaw. The new CPD courses are designed to make the most of this unique facility and will build the confidence of education staff to teach outside the classroom in their own schools, using many subjects on the National Curriculum and at all Key Stages.
The courses include hands-on activities under the guidance of experienced tutors with tips on how to transform their own school grounds; Developing the School Grounds as a Better Resource for Learning and Play; Gardening in Schools; Creating a Wildlife Area. There are also courses on Gardening by Numbers (applying maths in gardening activities); Vegetable & Fruit Gardening; Composting; Arts and Crafts in the Garden (using plant materials) - even Pond-Dipping for Teachers. They also encourage the use of renewable resources and environmentally friendly areas in school grounds.
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Deborah Knott, Education Officer at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, said: "These courses will provide teaching staff with valuable support and training to open up a whole new world for youngsters and an exciting way to learn through personal development and experience. Outside the traditional teaching environment, the courses will encourage teachers how to create an exciting outdoor classroom and garden in their own schools."
