Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential benefit to children of having access to (a) green spaces, (b) blue spaces and (c) other types of nature as part of their education.

The department knows that a connection with nature is vital for young people, not only for their mental and physical health but in developing a deeper understanding of the important role nature plays in the protection of our planet.

There is a growing body of evidence showing a link between greener school settings and a range of benefits for children, including improved learning outcomes, behaviour, concentration, and engagement (Public Health England, 2020). Officials work closely with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Natural England to gain insight into children’s access to nature. The department has been working with the University of Oxford on research to assess the impact of nature-based programmes delivered through secondary schools.

The National Education Nature Park, a key initiative of the department’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, empowers children and young people across England to benefit from connecting with nature regardless of their background or where they live. It brings learning to life and develops essential skills for the future.