Teach Secondary Issue 14.8

GROWING MINDS Cat Hickey explains why every secondary student deserves to gain access to nature S ecuring the right to access nature for every school could have a major impact on students’ academic performance, mental health and social development. It would also equip themwith the skills and levels of curiosity they can expect to need in the modern workplace. That’s why ZSL’s Access to Nature Campaign and petition is calling for statutory access to nature in every school across England, which would ensure that all young people get to benefit from experiencing the natural world. At ZSL – the charity that runs London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo, as well as conservation projects in over 80 countries – we believe that access to nature at school shouldn’t be treated as an optional enrichment activity. It is, in fact, essential to young people’s wellbeing, learning and ability to understand the world around them. Decliningopportunities As students move into secondary school, their opportunities to experience nature will typically decline sharply. According to Natural England’s 2023 People and Nature Survey (see tinyurl.com/ts148- NA1), the likelihood of a child experiencing nature daily at school falls from 30% in primary to just 12% in secondary. WWF’s 2024 ‘Schools for Nature’ report (see tinyurl. com/ts148-NA2), meanwhile, highlighted how 56% of all UK secondary schools reported offering no outdoor learning opportunities at all. Adolescence is a crucial stage for our development of independence, empathy and resilience – qualities that are not just essential for wellbeing, but also for our employability and chances of future success. A 2024 study published in Educational Psychology Review found that experiences of nature can help to reduce levels of stress and anxiety. What’s more, exposure to nature can strengthen students’ learning across all subjects – not just those where nature is central to the subject or topic being studied. For those students who struggle to learn in traditional settings, outdoor learning can provide a chance for them to re-engage, while boosting their ability to focus, improving their behaviour and developing their confidence. Inequalityof access These gains will likely stretch far beyond the classroom. Statutory access to nature would lead to improved wellbeing for both teachers and students, stronger post-16 progression and lower NEET rates. The government itself estimates that the NHS could save as much as £2.1bn per year if everyone was able to access to green space. By nurturing students’ awareness of climate change, sustainability and biodiversity loss, we would also be helping to build their understanding of the industries and jobs that are rapidly shaping the future – from cutting-edge green technologies and conservation science, to innovative environmental policies, designs and approaches to education. Exposure to nature doesn’t just inspire us to care more for the planet; it helps students see themselves as part of the potential solution. And yet, despite the knowledge that many schools and teachers are doing everything they can, access to nature remains profoundly unequal. Schools inmore deprived or urban areas will often lack regular access to safe green spaces, while students from lower-income families are less likely to spend time outdoors. This ‘nature gap’ means that those young people who could benefit the most from nature’s positive impacts will often be the ones most likely to miss out. System-wide changes Bold initiatives, such as the National Education Nature Park (educationnaturepark. org.uk) showwhat’s possible “Exposure tonature can strengthen students’ learning across all subjects” 30 teachwire.net/secondary