Schoolchildren in poorer areas facing ‘nature gap’, WWF warns

Nature should be embedded in the national curriculum to close an access gap between schools in poorer and wealthier areas, the WWF has said.

The wildlife group found that the majority of schoolchildren are missing out on outdoor learning and regularly experiencing nature.

Research published in its School for Nature report on Monday suggests that only 24% of schools provide daily opportunities for pupils to get out into nature.

While 52% of students in state schools with a low percentage of free school meals are given daily opportunities to experience nature, only 18% attending state schools with a high percentage of free school meals have these opportunities, the research suggests.

Elsewhere, the findings showed that the likelihood of experiencing nature on a daily basis at school drops from 30% to 12% as pupils progress from primary to secondary school.

In terms of outdoor learning, 56% of secondary schools said they do not offer any such opportunities to any pupils while 79% of parents said they believe their children’s screentime has gone up since the pandemic.

WWF said the research suggests that a student’s chances of benefitting from spending time in nature – including boosting their physical health, mental wellbeing and quality of education – are a lottery, depending on the school year group, size, location, and affluence of the catchment area.

The report added that access to nature also benefits teachers who can experience higher job satisfaction through outdoor learning, and boost their teaching practice and professional development.

Tanya Steele, WWF’s chief executive, said: “Schools and teachers have a vital and unique role to play in building children’s connection with nature – helping them learn about the wonder of the natural world and how to protect it.

“Getting out into nature is good for our physical and mental wellbeing too – and it doesn’t have to cost the Earth.

“Bringing nature into the playground, even in small ways, can give pupils a chance to learn and connect with the natural world around them.”

Citing case studies around the country, the report outlined how schools are creating opportunities for schoolchildren to experience nature through a natural environment onsite or through trips and clubs.

But the research also suggests that half of schools in the UK say that none of their pupils have daily opportunities to spend free time or play in a nature-rich environment at school.

It indicated that the most common practice when it comes to access to nature is through school trips and extra-curricular activities but these can be infrequent and optional with the cost of living crisis causing both parents and schools to cut back.

Rather than addressing inequalities based on education phase and socio-economic factors, optional activities may actually reinforce and exacerbate existing disparities, WWF said.

The wildlife organisation is also calling for all schools to be supported in allowing pupils to have regular nature experiences as a part of their educational entitlement.

WWF said that by embedding outdoor learning into the curriculum means teachers are planning when, how and what to teach outside the classroom, and are ensuring nature features in pupil’s education.

It also backed the “People’s Plan for Nature” – drawn up by a citizen’s assembly of members of the UK public last year, which includes calls for “regular time in nature, with knowledge and appreciation of nature built into the school curriculum throughout school life”.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We want all children to feel the benefits of being outside in nature. Our National Education Nature Park scheme, encourages more than 3,000 nurseries, schools, and colleges with the least access to green spaces to improve their outside teaching and learning facilities, providing more access to nature for all.

“As part of the scheme, we also announced £15million of capital funding, over academic years 2023/24 and 2024/25, to support settings and young people that need the most help in accessing nature.”