School Grounds Collective
We have drawn together a coordinated task-force to push for the ambitious implementation of improvements to school grounds. Together we can share the wins, contribute to each other’s spheres of influence and keep the pressure up. It is time to make school grounds better for all children.
In February 2026, the Department for Education launched their new 10-year Education Estates Strategy, along with an accompanying pattern book and other resources.
Rallied by LtL, in March 2026, a group of like-minded organisations working across the outdoor learning, play, mental health, education and nature sectors came together in London, creating the School Grounds Collective in response to this policy launch.
- Read the Collective’s Statement of Purpose
- Read about the London launch event
Schools must be supported to create engaging school grounds
With 35 years of experience as the UK’s school grounds charity, Learning through Landscapes strongly feel that the launch of this comprehensive plan, described by DfE as a ‘decade of national renewal’, offers a real opportunity to support schools in England to create better opportunities in their school grounds for learning, play, nature connection, wellbeing and sport. Schools must be supported to realise the Education Estates Strategy with ambition, to create nature-rich, climate-adapted, engaging school grounds which are future-proofed for the educational and environmental challenges ahead.
Get involved with the School Grounds Collective
The Collective will meet regularly to share opportunities, create a strong and current evidence base for this work, and to collaborate for better school grounds provision.
School grounds are a beloved and vital part of the education estate across all four nations of the UK; every child deserves access to high-quality school grounds. While the Collective’s initial focus is in England, due to the devolvement of educational policy in the UK, we do intend to expand this work over the coming months. As with all our work, LtL advocate for quality school grounds provision for every child in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
If you’d like to get involved with working with LtL and the School Grounds Collective at a strategic and policy level, or if you have any questions, email collective@ltl.org.uk
Related Projects
Our projects showcase innovative outdoor learning and play initiatives.
Take a look at our related projects here or explore our full range of past and present projects.
Polli:Gen
Building on the successes of the award-winning Polli:Nation project, Pollination for the Next Generation (Polli:Gen) engaged with more than 500 children and over 300 community group members across Leicester to teach them about their local natural heritage and how to create pollinator-friendly school grounds and community areas.
National Education Nature Park
This free programme brings practical ideas and guidance to educational settings, together with learning resources to put nature at the heart of education. Through the National Education Nature Park, learners can map their school grounds, plan and make changes to their outdoor spaces, and monitor the difference they make. Together, they will create a vast network of spaces that support nature while helping children and young people to thrive. Visit the National Education Nature Park website to learn more.