Garden designer and TV presenter Chris Beardshaw was in Birmingham's Botanic Gardens last week to launch the DCSF's new Growing Schools Garden website. Created by Twofour Learning, and a year in the making, the website features the latest incarnation of Chris's 'Best in Show' gold winning entry from the 2007 Hampton Court Palace Flower Show which has since found a permanent home at the Botanic Gardens. Inspired and informed by the recent Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto, the Growing Schools Garden website aims to give teachers the opportunity to journey into the world beyond the classroom, with lots of ideas and information about what to do and how to do it. There has been some very positive feedback so far and it is hoped that the website will inspire cross curricular outdoor working in schools all over the UK. www.thegrowingschoolsgarden.org.uk

“Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.” This statement is from the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto

Schools Minister Andrew Adonis says:

“We know that young people learn best when activities are relevant and interesting. Getting outside the classroom brings learning to life. You can provide experiences that stay with people for a lifetime, help shape the way they think, and develop new life skills. I hope many teachers will be inspired by the garden and the online resource.”

Garden designer Chris Beardshaw added:

“The garden and resource were created to inspire schools and teachers to find their own way to take learning outside the classroom walls, and the more young people experience the wider world the more informed and engaged they become. Their work is already paying off as the garden has begun to be replicated in school grounds across the country."