NORTHUMBERLAND National Park has launched a Recovery Curriculum to support school communities' high demand for outdoor learning.

Over 1,100 student engagements took place between April and July 2021 through Northumberland National Park’s Learning Programme, from 10 different schools in the North East.

Within this time, the learning team delivered almost 30 different activities for school children, including river dipping sessions in the Breamish Valley, geology sessions to uncover the history of Northumberland, and dark sky discovery workshops at The Sill.

The National Park has responded to the increase in interest of outdoor learning from schools by expanding its Learning Programme, and launching a Recovery Curriculum.

The Learning Programme aims to encourage future generations to be inspired by the landscape and become passionate about conserving and enhancing the National Park, for future generations to enjoy.

Rachel Baron, Learning Officer at Northumberland National Park Authority, said: “We were pleased to see so many teachers keen to get back to outdoor learning once schools officially reopened in April, though times were still very uncertain.

"Following the influx of interest to take part in our existing learning activities, we developed the Recovery Curriculum to encourage even more schools to get back into the great outdoors by expanding the existing Learning Programme, and respond to demand.

“Recovery comes in all forms, and the beautiful landscape of Northumberland National Park is the perfect place for people to come and recover together, with nature.

"Following the pandemic many people turned to the outdoors and wild landscapes for their physical and mental wellbeing; being able to access resources to aid schools to continue doing this is so important.”

The Recovery Curriculum programme launched on Thursday September 23 2021 and has been designed for pupils of all ages and abilities, with a combination of led sessions in the National Park, sessions delivered in schools, sessions delivered remotely, and digital resources which can be shared with teachers.