Two Aberdeenshire school teachers have won a special award in recognition of their work to educate pupils about the great outdoors.
Kathryn Catlow, of Insch Primary School, and Charlotte Glennie, from Balmedie Primary School, were awarded professional recognition in outdoor learning from the General Teaching Council for Scotland after taking part in the Teaching in Nature project.
The pair took pupils on a series of visits to Forvie National Nature Reserve – one of Scotland’s most dramatic stretches of coastline which is full of plants and home to thousands of birds – to teach them about the landscape, plants and animals.
The project is run by Scottish Natural Heritage which says teaching in nature disrupts some of the “habits ingrained in indoor practices, changing the boundaries and imaginaries of what counted as teaching and learning through schooling”.
Teachers are put in touch with people like nature reserve managers and countryside rangers so they can properly plan lessons.
Ms Glennie said: “This experience has definitely increased my confidence in taking children outdoors and teaching them about nature.
“My relationship with the children has also grown deeper.
“I believe they see you in a different light when learning outdoors.”
Ms Catlow added: “I am going to make a more conscious effort to ensure that I plan more regular use of the outdoors to enhance learning.
“I am yet to explore all areas around my school and, who knows, I am sure there are many more fantastic local areas like Forvie that I didn’t know existed before.”
Forvie National Nature Reserve site manager Annabel Drysdale said the project allowed teachers access to the site without being a huge draw on staff time which is “desperately valuable during the busy summer months”.
Scottish Natural Heritage outdoor learning officer Sharon Cunningham said: “The benefits of outdoor experiences for young people’s learning, behaviour and health are now well recognised and learning outdoors is an important part of the curriculum.
“However, teachers often need help to provide this and Teaching in Nature offers this support.”