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Join us for a two-part session that explores how well-designed school grounds can unlock deeper learning, wellbeing, and a lasting connection to nature.

The first presentation, “Nature Connection Through School Grounds: Facts, Fiction and Challenges”, is led by Queen Margaret University and delves into the common assumptions, practical realities, and emerging evidence around nature-based learning and nature connection. Drawing on academic research, the session will explore how school grounds can genuinely support nature connection and wellbeing—while also highlighting some of the misconceptions around what nature connection is, what challenges there are in supporting children to connect through school grounds, and how best we can move forward!

The second presentation, “Learning from Good Nature”, focuses on the creation and use of external learning spaces at the newly completed Montgomerie Park Primary School. This case study shares how the landscape was designed to stimulate curiosity, play and discovery—interwoven with biodiversity, sustainability, and place-based learning. Crucially, the school community reflects on how these spaces are now used in practice, offering candid insights into what has worked, what’s evolved, and what others can take forward.

Together, these two presentations chart a journey from research to reality: Queen Margaret University presents the facts, fiction and challenges; Montgomerie Park Primary School and rankinfraser presents a finished landscape—with honest lessons learned from the school users.