Schoolgrounds for Learning

Schoolgrounds for Learning helps address the growing realisation that the traditional 'turf and tarmac' model for school grounds is not catering to all the physical and social needs of students in the 21st century.

A school wetland provides aesthetic ,environmental
and educational benefits

By combining leadership training for teachers with a vision to create greener, more interesting and stimulating schoolgrounds for students the program has seen areas of concrete and asphalt once regarded as key design elements of a good schoolground design actually being replaced with more environmentally sensitive and more valuable learning environments.

Schoolgrounds greening projects provide the perfect vehicle for authentic student learning opportunities that help meet the requirements of new Victorian Essential Learning Standards and have the potential for significant social benefits as demonstrated by international research showing:

• 71% increase in student physical activity (Canadian study)
• 64% reduction in bullying and 28% reduction in vandalism (UK study).
• 33% improvement in attitude to learning (survey of UK principals).
• 44% decrease in discipline (Canadian study)
• Student and staff absences below state average and parental ratings higher than state benchmarks (Waste Wise Schools and Sustainable Schools evaluations).

For research papers exploring the benefits of schoolgrounds greening project, visit the Gould Institute.