News release

A breath of fresh air as Outdoor Learning Zones open

Pupils at Peel Primary School, Livingston were looking forward to a fresh approach to learning after Outdoor Learning Zones were introduced.

West Lothian Council?s senior education manager and former headteacher of Peel Primary, Mary Rankine, opened the zones, which allow pupils to learn outside in specially designed areas.

The Pupil Council and the Eco Committee have been working together to create zones for pupils to learn outside. They audited the grounds, consulted classmates, staff and parents and drew up plans. They worked hard creating different garden and environmental areas.

The zones will help develop knowledge and skills in ways that add value to pupils' everyday experiences in the classroom. An outdoor seating area, called the Trim Trail, is to be used as an outdoor classroom and a woodland walk has been built in the grounds of the school.  The development will allow learning to take place outside the classroom across the curriculum and in particular in P.E, maths, problem solving language, science, art and design and environmental studies. Andrew Miller, Executive councillor for education, said: "Outdoor learning impacts positively on young people's interpersonal abilities such as social skills, communication skills and team work."Peel Primary was the first school in West Lothian to receive the prestigious Second Green Flag from Eco Schools Scotland and their Eco Committee won "Team of the Year" at the Stellar Awards 2007. These achievements illustrate the school?s commitment in developing pupils? knowledge of environmental issues through education. "This project shows what both the Pupil Councils and the Eco Committees can achieve. Well done to everyone at Peel Primary School for their efforts in getting the zones up and running."

Mary Rankine, added: "The Outdoor Learning Zones offer a fresh approach to teaching and will excite pupils. Learning outside the traditional classroom setting can open up new avenues for staff in their approaches to teaching which can provide benefits to pupils."

Date: 11-02-2008