Wee Forests need a big push from local schools

Not enough primary schools are taking advantage of the recently created Wee Forests in Dundee, with many children missing out on the chance of connections with nature and green spaces in their local community alongside learning and play, a new study has shown.

Research by Dundee University has shown that, while people visiting green spaces in Dundee known as Wee Forests are improving those connections, more effort by schools is needed to promote the use of these spaces and resources to support visits.

The researchers, from the University’s Botanic Garden and School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, say that out of 33 primary schools in Dundee, only four use the green spaces at least once a month.

Only 12 of the 33 schools actually responded to a survey carried out by the researchers, with two schools using the Wee Forest in their area on a regular basis while another two used theirs once a month.

The other schools used spaces every or less.

Lack of school time and shortage of supervision provision were given as the main reasons, the study shows.

The pilot Wee Forest programme, which was led by Naturescot and supported by £500,000 of Scottish Government funding, saw 20 urban forests set up across the country in 2021 and 2022, including in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Four were planted across Dundee, in Stobswell, Douglas, Kirkton and Lochee.

The forests were intentionally created near to primary schools lacking in nearby green spaces to support nature-based solutions to social and environmental issues in areas with high levels of deprivation. The aim was responding their green six month to improve the local environment and biodiversity and become a potential resource for learning and play.

The University’s Botanic Garden was the project’s local delivery partner and academics have conducted research, initiated and funded by Naturescot, to discover the ways in which sites in Dundee are used.

As part of their study, the research team found six schools within a 20-minute walk of a Wee Forest, a further two schools within a 25-minute walk and 25 which are more than a 25-minute walk away.

In relation to other local green spaces, 23 schools are within a 20-minute walk, four schools within a 25-minute walk, while six primary schools are further than a 25-minute walk.

Dr Kumara Ward, research lead at the Division of Education and Society, who led the study said: “A few schools made a real effort to get out once a month but, in reality, few got out every month.

“We found many similar barriers across lots of the schools – curriculum restraints, a lack of curriculum time and issues in relation to supervision ratios required for an outof-school visit.

“Some schools managed outdoor walks in smaller groups of children of varying ages to allow greater ratios, for example House groups.

“Those who had used these vertical grouping methods spoke of the added benefits that brought in older children supporting the younger ones.”

A recommendation for the local authority to develop guidelines to support schools in addressing the barriers related to curriculum time is also made within the report, which also makes a number of recommendations to target these common barriers including planting more Wee Forests and engage green liaison officers to promote and support visits.

Promoting educational resources to assist understanding and encourage engagement with the Wee Forests and local green spaces is also recommended.

Naturescot’s outdoor learning adviser Penny Martin said: “We’re pleased to hear Wee Forests are bringing benefits to the local communities who use them and we welcome all efforts to make sure children and young people can enjoy these special places too.”

A Dundee City Council Spokesperson said: “Our children and young people are provided with various opportunities to explore and engage with nature through learning.

“The Wee Forests are just one of many ways for our children and young people to enjoy the outdoors and learn more about the natural world.

“We understand the benefits of being outside, from enhancing physical, social and mental wellbeing. That is why getting outdoors is part of the curriculum for our children both within and beyond the nursery and school play spaces.”

The full report can be read on the Naturescot website.

WAY TO GROW: The Wee Forest programme saw 20 outdoor spaces set up in urban areas near primary schools.