National School Grounds Week

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is helping youngsters engage with their natural environment, but this time in a very familiar location – their own school grounds.

National School Grounds Week runs from 8th – 12th June with the theme of ‘pollination’ chosen this year. The initiative aims to get children outdoors, by having fun and engaging with their natural environment at the same time.

As part of this UK-wide project, children at Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus , got outdoors to enjoy their grounds this week. They built dens, played traditional games and made their school garden more ‘pollination-friendly’ by planting a bee garden and making bee-homes. Alison Diver, Growing Communities Officer and Denise McVeigh, Physical Activity Leader, led the activities. 

The Mayor, Councillor Billy Ashe said: “Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has set out a clear commitment to children’s play with a range of school ground events held in the past."

“This year’s theme ‘pollination’ is also perfect for us as we are committed to protecting and promoting biodiversity and are keen to provide opportunities for play and creativity in a natural environment.

“We hope to send the message that outdoor play and education is an extremely important part of children’s lives. What better way to do so than by ‘pollinating’ their young minds with ideas about the importance of biodiversity while at the same time supporting National School Grounds Week again.

“For some children, school grounds may be the only open green space they have access to. Numerous studies have linked both children’s physical health - with current concerns around childhood obesity, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise - and children’s mental health, well-being, learning and development to access to outdoor space.

“Outdoor play is extremely important for children as they build cognitive skills and begin to make sense of the world,” Cllr Ashe concluded.

Television naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, who also supports the project said: “School grounds are critical to the next generation’s connection with nature. If children do not grow up knowing and appreciating nature, then they will not understand its value and why they need to protect it. And if they do not protect it - who will?”