The LEAF Award: Building Ecologically Conscious Pupils

Sometimes it’s not possible to ‘see the wood for the trees’ – perhaps a poor analogy, but sustainability is such an area where it can be difficult to know where exactly to start. The Lower School’s completion of The LEAF (Learning About Forests) Award offered one such starting point.

This international recognition provides hands-on experiences for lower school pupils, connecting them with the natural world. In this post, we’re looking at the enriching activities of the LEAF programme, which promotes growth, responsibility, and a tangible link with the environment. 

What Is The LEAF Programme? 

The LEAF (Learning About Forests) programme is an internationally recognised, highly regarded programme in environmental education, and is designed to create a deep connection between pupils and the natural world. LEAF is an integral component of the wider Eco-Schools award and is specifically designed for Early Years, SEND providers, and Key Stage 1. The programme challenges young minds to embark on three outdoor activities annually, leading to a better understanding of local green spaces, forests, woodlands, and biodiversity within their immediate environment.

What Activities Can Schools Choose From During The LEAF Programme?

The LEAF (Learning About Forests) programme offers a diverse range of engaging activities and environmental experiences for schools. The activities on offer include: 

Forest Tales encourages pupils to explore woodland-set stories, visit local forests, absorb the ambience, and create their own narratives. This encourages creativity and a deep appreciation for storytelling intertwined with nature.

Nature is Art prompts pupils to transform local green spaces into temporary exhibitions, recording trees, plants, and wildlife. They create interpretation panels, adding their creations to the site and hosting viewing events, promoting artistic expression and environmental awareness.

Build an Animal Habitat engages pupils in identifying local animals, creating habitats, and observing wildlife activity, fostering a hands-on understanding of local ecosystems. 

Grow Your Own Grub encourages pupils to sow, plant, and harvest vegetables, promoting sustainable living and connecting them with the food production process.

Get to Know a Tree prompts pupils to explore and experiment with local trees, unearthing hidden information and creating profiles, to build their understanding of how trees grow.

As part of their wider learning, our Lower School pupils took part in the LEAF programme, and chose Forest Tales, Nature is Art, and Build an Animal Habitat. 

Why Do We Take Part In The LEAF Programme?

The LEAF Award not only provides evidence for the Eco-Schools Green Flag application but also empowers pupils to take responsibility for their local environment. It fits well with Heathfield Knoll’s all-round approach to education including encouraging our pupils to learn and play in our 30 acres of mixed woodland.

Learning about the environment holds value for all children, providing a foundation for a lasting connection to their surroundings. Using the local environment helps to develop a closer bond with the immediate environment. 

This sense of place empowers children to take responsibility for aspects of their environment, involving them in problem-solving and meaningful learning about environmental issues. Regular visits to the same location allow our pupils to identify changing features over time, allowing a greater understanding of the changing natural world. For example, creative writing about seasonal changes in our woodland environments or watching nocturnal wildlife activity on our camera traps.  The best learning occurs through firsthand experiences, particularly in younger children and our nursery and Preschool settings enjoy both covered and extended natural play and learning spaces. The EYFS recognises the importance of outdoor learning and states that young children must have access to outdoor spaces. Outdoor learning plays a crucial role in helping children make sense of the world and grasp the basic concepts of science.

The school was a finalist in the ISA Awards for Sustainability. This recognised our whole school approach to sustainable and environmental education (our collective approach is described by the Earth Centre). For example:

• School sustainable development plan
• Play area made from recycled natural and man-made materials
• Recycling of school food waste for use on our vegetable beds
• Recycle to read scheme
• Terracycle campaign
• RSPB Big Bird Watch and Wild Challenge
• Pupil garden design
• Vegetable growing for the school dining room
• Biophilic principles adopted in building designs

Further positive feedback has been received from:

‘To read about the positive impacts that the activities have had on the self-esteem and

confidence of your pupils has genuinely made our week…No doubt other pupils have been inspired to think about the environment and their own connection to nature.

We’re really happy to see that the LEAF programme has prompted a deeper and wider interest in Eco-issues within the pupils. To get active on other projects like the Big Battery Hunt and the crisp recycling scheme displays a proactive and SMART ethos that many adults should learn from!’ [Leaf Award, July 2023]

‘Super onsite Forest School. ‘We sat under an apple tree to learn about gravity – one fell on my head!’ giggled a pupil. City and Guilds outdoor qualifications (eg horticulture) .. for older ones – originally brought in for Connect students but some main school pupils fancied it too.’ [Good Schools Guide, 2022]

‘Pupils make value contributions to the lives of others …and the wider community. They are aware of the need to be excellent role models and through positions such as membership of the eco committee …make a positive impact on their peers. Pupils speak proudly of… their annual involvement in litter picking along local canals and contributes to their keenly felt environmental credentials’ [ISI, 2022]

You can read more about the LEAF programme on their website, and should you have further questions or would like to discuss our work regarding the environment, you are welcome to get in touch.