Nurturing Environmental Understanding: How Countryside Classroom Supports Environmental Education

By Elizabeth Lake, Countryside Classroom Programme Coordinator

In a time when the importance of environmental awareness and sustainability has never been greater, equipping young people with the knowledge, values and skills to care for the natural world is crucial. One organisation at the forefront of this mission is Countryside Classroom, a collaborative initiative that brings together a wide range of resources, expertise, and experiences to support environmental education across the UK.

Countryside Classroom is the largest partnership of its kind, made up of over 30 leading organisations with shared goals: to connect children and young people with where their food comes from, how it is produced and how it can be grown in harmony with the environment. Its online platform (www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk) acts as a one-stop shop for teachers and educators, providing access to hundreds of high-quality, curriculum-linked educational resources, outdoor learning opportunities and expert support.

A group of students and teachers gather round an area of soil in a field. — Year 12 students from St Benedicts Sixth Form learning about soil science at Southfields Farm (Countryside Classroom)

A Vital Role in Modern Education

Environmental education isn’t just about teaching children the names of trees or how to plant seeds - though these are valuable in themselves. It’s about fostering a deep understanding of ecosystems, biodiversity, sustainability and the impact of human activity on the planet. It’s also about inspiring a lifelong appreciation and respect for the natural world.

Countryside Classroom plays a vital role in embedding this ethos within education. By bringing together a wealth of information, resources, and links to organisations offering hands-on experiences, it supports schools in delivering meaningful outdoor and environmental learning.

The platform covers three core themes: Food, Farming, and the Natural Environment. This broad scope allows it to support a wide variety of curriculum areas, from science and geography to design technology and personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE). Whether a school wants to run a project on sustainable food, organise a farm visit or deliver forest school activities Countryside Classroom offers a gateway to expertise and inspiration.

Supporting Teachers and Schools

One of the biggest barriers to outdoor learning and environmental education is the lack of confidence or knowledge among teachers, particularly those who have little experience of the countryside themselves. Countryside Classroom helps bridge that gap by offering free, easy-to-access resources and signposting training opportunities.

Lesson plans, videos, activity packs, case studies and interactive materials can all be found via the website. Many are designed to be practical and adaptable, suitable for use both inside the classroom and outdoors. These resources are carefully aligned to UK national curricula, making it easier for teachers to integrate environmental education into their everyday teaching.

Importantly, the platform doesn’t just focus on formal education. It also provides support for community groups, youth organisations and home educators. By widening access, Countryside Classroom helps to ensure that all children, regardless of background, have opportunities to engage with the natural world.

Hands-On Learning and Real-World Connections

A central strength of Countryside Classroom is its ability to connect schools with real-world experiences. The platform hosts a searchable directory of farms, outdoor education centres and environmental organisations that welcome visits or offer outreach work. These experiences are often the most memorable and impactful for young people, grounding theoretical knowledge in tangible, lived experiences.

Whether it’s meeting a farmer, seeing wildlife up close or participating in conservation work these experiences help children understand complex topics like food production, climate change and habitat loss. They also offer insight into rural careers and sustainable livelihoods potentially inspiring future land-based professionals and environmental advocates.

Countryside Classroom also promotes initiatives like LEAF Open Farm Sunday, Food a Fact of Life programmes and the Canal & River Trust initiative, enabling schools to take advantage of a wide network of trusted providers.

Championing Equity and Inclusion

Environmental education must be accessible to all, not just those in rural or affluent communities. Countryside Classroom is actively working to address inequalities by promoting opportunities for underrepresented groups and providing materials that are inclusive and diverse.

Some partner organisations offer free or subsidised visits, transport grants and tailored support for schools in urban or deprived areas. The platform also shares best practice case studies to inspire and empower schools facing logistical or financial challenges.

This inclusive approach reflects a broader understanding: environmental stewardship is a collective responsibility and engaging a wide and diverse audience is essential for lasting change.

A woman points to an image on a smartboard as schoolchildren hold up their hand. — Countryside Classroom has resources, places to visit and people to ask all about food, farming and environment. Pictured is Fran Box from TastEd (Countryside Classroom)

Collaborative Strength

One of the reasons Countryside Classroom is so successful is its collaborative model. By pooling the knowledge and resources of over 30 partner organisations, as well as 100s of contributors - including the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, Natural England and many others - it creates a powerful and cohesive offer.

This partnership approach means that the platform is constantly evolving and responding to new challenges. For instance, in recent years, resources have been added to address climate change, rewilding, regenerative agriculture, and biodiversity loss - topics that are increasingly relevant to both young people and educators.

Countryside Classroom also acts as a hub for news, events and opportunities in environmental education, keeping educators up to date and connected with the wider sector.

Looking Ahead

As environmental issues continue to dominate global and national agendas, the role of education in shaping informed, responsible citizens is more important than ever. Countryside Classroom is playing a key role in that journey, equipping the next generation with the tools they need to care for the planet.

Its work is not just about information - it’s about inspiration. By opening doors to new experiences, nurturing curiosity and providing practical tools for educators it helps ensure that environmental education is not an optional extra but a fundamental part of every child’s learning journey.

For anyone involved in teaching, youth work, or outdoor education, Countryside Classroom is an invaluable resource - and a reminder of the power of collective action in shaping a more sustainable future.

For more information and to access resources, visit www.countrysideclassroom.org.uk

CJS is pleased to support Countryside Classroom and it was our Featured Charity in 2022.