Great Grounds

A specialist landscaping and grounds maintenance company with bases in both Manchester and Staffordshire is about to launch a range of packages that support outdoor learning in primary schools. The packages seamlessly deliver opportunities to link topics including sustainability and careers education with curriculum, providing inspiration to develop teaching and learning in new and exciting ways.

Great Grounds Director Tony Millar is a strong advocate of making the most of school grounds, enhancing them to become an integral part of the school’s teaching and learning environment. With almost 20 years experience working in school settings, Tony is ideally placed to provide ideas and support, guiding school leaders to maximise the benefits and safety of their outdoor environments.

The companies management and staff bring a wealth of experience whilst working in school outdoor settings, with all enhanced DBS checked, trained to deliver specialist support and able to operate to the highest safeguarding standards. Understanding the balance between risk and challenge also helps ensure the company can deliver projects that integrate seamlessly with individual school requirements.

Great Grounds has worked with both Manchester Metropolitan University and Keele University to both develop their school packages and to benchmark the effectiveness of developments on teaching and learning.
Research undertaken for the company by Keele University academics, not only benchmarked effectiveness in promoting children’s learning in the outdoor environment, but also assessed the positive impacts on teachers. A copy of the report can be viewed here.

The development of school grounds does not have to come at significant cost. The company prides itself in providing primary schools with innovative, no and low cost ideas to enhance their outdoor environments, enhancing teaching and learning opportunities, by more effectively engaging with parents, community groups and local businesses. Tony Millar commented, “we never fail to be amazed by how many individuals and organisations are keen to help schools and very often, all the schools have to do is ask for support”

An important starting point for developing school grounds is always to ensure that they are well maintained. Effective school grounds maintenance ensures that opportunities to use the existing setting can be maximised, whilst also making sure that the grounds are a safe space for children to learn and play. Great Grounds management and staff are all enhanced DBS checked, are able to identify and report potential risks within the grounds and are always happy to suggest new ways for the existing setting to be enhanced.

To launch the new packages, Great Grounds are going to give three schools who take on a maintenance contract, a budget of £1000 to spend on enhancing their school grounds. Tony Millar commented “we are searching for three enthusiastic schools who are looking to develop their school grounds in innovative ways, with a strong emphasis on creating new opportunities to inspire learning, particularly with a focus on children that do not normally engage well with mainstream learning.”

Tony is always happy to drop in to schools and share ideas on how teachers and school leaders can develop their school grounds. If you are interested in finding out more, contact Tony Millar by email tony@greatgrounds.co.uk and start your journey to get the most from your school grounds. More information can also be found on Great Grounds website www.greatgrounds.co.uk

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