Birmingham school says city green spaces 'vital' for children after transforming forest school site

Birmingham is lucky enough to be home to acres and acres of stunning parkland throughout the city. And one ambitious strategy, published by the city council this year, provides a glimpse of how Brum could go on to rival Vienna in terms of green space by 2045.

However, according to a survey of 2,000 people in six UK cities by Bupa, around 18 per cent of those asked in Birmingham said their child has no green space at school. Around 17 per cent of the people surveyed in Brum also suggested their child grows up without a garden at home.

The Oaklands Primary School, in Acocks Green, is one place which has recently taken action to ensure their pupils spend more time embracing nature in the outdoors. “We are a school in an urban area, and some of our children’s only proper access to green space is their local park,” Katy Carpenter, pastoral lead, said.

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She continued that they may not always be able to access these parks for a number of reasons or their families may not spend time in nature. However, the school was able to apply for the Bupa foundation community grant and transform their forest school grounds, which Ms Carpenter says was in “desperate need” of rejuvenation.

“Upon being awarded the grant, we were able to buy planters and soil, forest school equipment, and invite an external organisation in to build a willow structure with the children,” she said. “The renovated site and availability of new equipment enabled us to run forest school sessions both as part of curriculum provision and as an extra-curricular after school club.”

She went on to say that the children had benefited from such sessions and had grown in confidence, as well as learnt communication, collaboration and problem solving skills. “Enabling children to spend time in nature in a safe and educational environment cultivates a sense of excitement and curiosity,” she said.

“Ultimately, we need all our children to be bothered about the natural world, since we have so much of our landscape that needs protecting and fighting for. Children are much more likely to care for something they have experience of.”

She continued that a key priority of parents at the school was making sure their children have access to safe and pleasant green space. "With the cost-of-living having a significant impact on many of our families, it is more important than ever for children to have more access to recreational activities that don’t cost lots of money,” she said.

“Parks, gardens and other green spaces can play a vital role". The Central Birmingham Framework 2045 was recently published by the city council and reveals how Brum could be a greener city with better transport options, a wider range of job opportunities and higher-quality homes by 2045.

While future developments are subject to planning, the framework aims to shape such development within central Birmingham and guide future developments after its adoption last month. The strategy says: “We need to ensure our new homes and neighbourhoods are uplifted with improved transport options, and access to green spaces, health, and community facilities.

“We need to strive for opportunity for all in order to help achieve a prosperous, inclusive, healthy, safe and green city that citizens can proudly call home.”

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