OASES North East implemented the Heritage Lottery Funded My School My Planet project in two County Durham schools, Gilesgate Primary and West Rainton Primary, in collaboration with the national school grounds charity Learning Through Landscapes. Funded through the Covid Recovery Fund, the program aimed to re-engage students with school-based learning post the 2020 lockdowns. Each school class participated in 8 days of outdoor learning, exploring a chosen theme in their school grounds and local sites. This personal learning journey enabled children to explore their individual cultural identity and heritage within their natural surroundings.
The project fostered deep personal connections and learning, expressed and interpreted by the children through local action and creativity. At West Rainton Primary, where there is a local travelers’ community, and at Gilesgate Primary, situated in Durham City with a diverse mix of ethnic backgrounds, students mapped out their cultural identity and personal connections to special places in their neighborhoods, such as community allotments, Rainton Meadows nature reserve, and Kepier Woods on Durham riverbanks.
Biodiversity was chosen as the theme, leading students to explore the range of plants and animals in their school and community. At West Rainton, students created bird and pollinator gardens to attract more insects and birds, while at Gilesgate Primary, they designed a tranquil space with wildlife-friendly flowers and shrubs.
Learning Through Landscapes produced a report highlighting the benefits and achievements of the project nationwide.
