Let's take Learning Outside! |
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We want to make the experience of creating an outdoor learning space at your school as easy, affordable & effective as possible. As teachers and scientists ourselves, and after years of working with schools across Ireland, we have developed extensive experience in this area.
We work with approved-suppliers to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. We also offer a range of materials to suit all budgets from sustainable-wood to recycled-plastic. If you like, we can be your one point of contact throughout and coordinate and advise on almost everything. Our team even consists of a dedicated School Garden Coordinator to work directly with you - the only one in Ireland. |
Dedicated School garden Coordinator
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We know you can't just plonk a few seats and pots outside and call it an outdoor classroom or garden - it's about creating a beautiful, exciting, inspirational outdoor learning area suited to your school. We'll work closely with you to benefit both your students and local biodiversity. This can include items such as:
Unique in Ireland, we are a one-stop-shop for absolutely everything you need. Combining our range of school-specific materials with our education programmes make us the leading outdoor learning provider for Irish schools.
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Options:
1) Design Visit by our school garden coordinator to meet staff, students and assess your site. Creation of a design action plan to guide the development of your space. Cost: €595 2) Coordination Our team, including our school garden coordinator, will work with you over 12 months to help implement the action plan. We will work with our extensive range of suppliers to help you source everything from seating to greenhouses, seeds to soil saving you a lot of time, hassle, mistakes and money. Cost €395 3) Training/ Gardening Workshops A visit to your school by our school garden coordinator to work with your students/ staff to either start planting from scratch, guide your garden development or re-energise your school garden/ committee. This is a very practical workshop and can be a one-off or series of visits. Can include activities such as planting days. Resources to be used not included in price. Cost: €350 |
Some examples from us & our friends:
Gaelscoil Shliabh Rua, Dublin. Circular outdoor classroom style using recycled plastic on a fine gravel base surrounded by hedging border and set within native meadow.
Rath NS, Co. Laois. Creation of an outdoor classroom on grass area using native hedgerow backdrop. New gravel area, surrounded by new hedgerow, picnic bench style seating with free-standing outdoor blackboard. All made from recycled plastic.
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Assumption J&S GNS, Dublin. Redevelopment of gardens to include circular, curved bench outdoor classroom and food growing area featuring raised beds.
An Grianán NS, Westmeath. An outdoor classroom featuring hexagonal 'pollinator' work-benches made from recycled plastic in a woodland setting with sensory garden, native hedgerow, orchard and fairy forest.
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FAqs
Q - Do you do groundworks?
A - We are not in a position to do groundworks or drainage systems. This is typically a service that is only available at a local level and undertaken by the school themselves such as caretaker, parent or local contractor. It is difficult to source groundwork providers that are available on a national level. However, we'll do our best to advise you.
Q - Are these detailed architectural sketches?
A - No. We work with the children to compile their ideas and mix them with our own recommendations to create an outline of what is possible for your space. It is a process routed in education and creativity. These sketches/ mood boards/ plans only serve as a guideline and liability will rest with the school in implementing ideas such as seeking permissions, excavating ground, etc. If the school requires detailed drawings with specific to-scale measurements you need to source a landscape architect or engineer.
Q - What kind of gardens do you help with?
A - Our priority when planning a school garden is biodiversity and creating spaces that young people can connect with nature. If you're interested in playgrounds, soft play surfaces, equipment-focused sensory gardens and artificial grass we may not be the match for your needs :)
A - We are not in a position to do groundworks or drainage systems. This is typically a service that is only available at a local level and undertaken by the school themselves such as caretaker, parent or local contractor. It is difficult to source groundwork providers that are available on a national level. However, we'll do our best to advise you.
Q - Are these detailed architectural sketches?
A - No. We work with the children to compile their ideas and mix them with our own recommendations to create an outline of what is possible for your space. It is a process routed in education and creativity. These sketches/ mood boards/ plans only serve as a guideline and liability will rest with the school in implementing ideas such as seeking permissions, excavating ground, etc. If the school requires detailed drawings with specific to-scale measurements you need to source a landscape architect or engineer.
Q - What kind of gardens do you help with?
A - Our priority when planning a school garden is biodiversity and creating spaces that young people can connect with nature. If you're interested in playgrounds, soft play surfaces, equipment-focused sensory gardens and artificial grass we may not be the match for your needs :)