Here’s a round up of recent reports on research, policy and practice from Natural England (Summer 2016). This was collated and issued by the partnership of Natural England, the Council for Learning outside the Classroom, and Historic England on behalf of and for the Strategic Research Groups.
Natural Connections Demonstration Project, 2012-2016: Final Report
Natural England released the findings of the Natural Connections Project, which has been shared globally through social media and very well received by organisations from across the natural environment, education, outdoor learning and heritage sectors both here in the UK and overseas – lots of feedback that it represents a step change in our understanding of the positive impacts of outdoor learning on pupils and teachers.
Healthy weight, healthy futures: Local government action to tackle childhood obesity
The transfer of responsibility for public health in 2013 to councils has sparked a surge in innovative programmes and some are featured in these case studies. From working with children who are obese and overweight to encouraging children to cut their consumption of sugary drinks, local authorities are showing how child obesity can be tackled.
Building the foundations – tackling obesity through planning and development
Produced in partnership with PHE, the report identified a series of themes and more specific elements that help to create healthy-weight environments
The Existing Evidence-Base about the Effectiveness of Outdoor learning
In partnership with the Institute of Outdoor Learning, the Blagrave Trust commissioned Giving Evidence and The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre) at UCL Institute of Education
to produce a systematic review of the existing literature about outdoor learning.
Student Outcomes and Natural Schooling – Pathways from Evidence to Impact Report
This has been produced by Plymouth University and Western Sydney University, following a conference organised in collaboration with the University of East London and Natural England, and with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).