The Learning through Landscapes Professional Accreditation course has operated for over 25 years in the UK. In 2024 we are proud to partner with Buiten Leren en Spelen (BLES- Belgium) and Instituut voor Natuureducatie (IVN – NL) in Ghent, Belgium, to deliver a European wide Accreditation course.

As well as the course content, this programme will lay the foundations for ongoing support and networking across Europe around greening school grounds and outdoor learning.

This programme is for professionals in design or education who lead, support, advise or train others in around design of school grounds, or outdoor learning and play. This may be in a private business, NGO, a freelance or private business, local or national government. You may also be a teacher or education leader, with experience and ambitions to develop other’s practice in outdoor learning, play and school grounds development.

We expect candidates to have at least two years of related experience and a relevant professional qualification in the route they choose. This will be across at least two projects or programmes and likely include consultancy level work, or aiming to deliver advice and input as a consultant. Sharing of experience between the group is a key element of the training.

The course is assessed by submission of a portfolio of evidence and a short written assessment paper. Submissions must be received within 6 months of attending the training.

If your school has an Erasmus+ accreditation, our funding can cover the cost via Erasmus+. Please speak to Cedric Ryckaert if you have any questions about this funding: cedric.ryckaert@kbkscholen.be 

Accreditation in School Grounds Design

This route is ideal for Landscape Architects, Architects or other design professionals looking to develop a business in school/nursery grounds or who have already designed projects but need new insights and input.

This accreditation is for design professionals with at least two years’ experience of work in education settings, who want to accredit your practice and demonstrate a better understanding of the role the outdoors has in teaching, learning and play. This will enable you to offer a service that maximises the potential of outdoor spaces and fully meets the needs of whole school communities.

Accreditation in Outdoor Learning and Play

This route is ideal for experienced individuals looking to build competence and a business around outdoor learning consultancy and training for schools and early years settings. It will help you support and encourage whole school communities to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence in the use of outdoor spaces for learning and play.

This accreditation is for education professionals with at least 2 years’ experience of working with schools and nurseries at a senior level to support improvements in educational practice or play. You will have a significant education background and be able to relate well to the role of educators and teachers, understand wider curriculum and the role of play in schools or early years settings.

The professional network is a group of some of the most respected and experienced professionals in school grounds and outdoor learning across the UK and Europe. The network enables all members to keep up to date with current practice, creative ideas and opportunities.

LtL, BLES and IVN have the ability to quality assure the advice, guidance and services provided to schools and other settings through its accredited network members. This also gives schools and other settings confidence in the standard of service they will receive.

As a founding member of the International School Grounds Alliance (ISGA), LtL connects with partners around the world who share our agenda and vision. We encourage all our Accredited Professionals to also connect with the ISGA group.

Please read the information about prior experience carefully. During this course we expect a level of understanding and experience around either education or landscape design. You should feel confident of being able to work with a whole school, either designing or advising at head teacher level.

If you are unsure, please call Mary Jackson or Matt Robinson on +44 1962 392 932.

The three-day training course will take place on 19-21 February 2024. Each day is 9am-5pm with breaks and lunch. Light lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please communicate with us any dietary or similar needs we should know about.

The venue address is: Arteveldehogeschool Campus, Kattenberg 9, 9000 Gent, Belgium. Google Map: https://g.co/kgs/BjrksJ 

Days 1 & 3

Each course covers similar themes but from different perspectives, with some sharing of learning between the two groups, culminating in a shared project task that brings the learning from the three days together.

The course takes place both indoors and outdoors at our venue. Topics include:

• Exploring the values and practice around outdoor learning and play in school grounds
• Exploring the needs of schools and their pupils
• The importance of nature for children
• Consulting and listening – understanding the needs of schools, children and young people
• School grounds for the 21st Century including responding to the impacts of climate change
• Learning from others around the world
• Group Task
• Review and Feedback

Day 2

• Field trip to schools to hear from teachers and see a variety of spaces
• Advisory Visits – tools and tips