FEL Support Survey Results - 'Good Effort, Must Continue'

A recent online FEL survey returned some useful information on how teachers and educators across Stirling would like to be a supported in their learning and teaching for Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning work.

Although there was not a high response rate, there was a clear indication that schools were striving to stimulate, and improve the experience of children through the creative development, improvement, and use of school grounds, and to help children connect with other areas of learning through using the outdoors.

In suggesting themes for CPD 'Twilight' sessions, there was most interest in topics that focused on the 'how-to' of school grounds development ie designing, planning and creating.  Using the grounds for specific purposes such as learning about periods throughout history, food growing, or birds and minibeasts were also popular choices.

For those who had attended or were wanting to attend CPD sessions, respondents preferred support for both teachers and pupils to reinforce class studies, run workshops to develop the garden area, and evaluate the impact of the learning on the children and ensure that the teachers were taking forward their learning and understanding to best effect.  Sharing learning was not considered to be a priority, due to timetabling constraints.

In terms of use of FEL's support services, most respondents were interested in using all of the services offered, with the extensive FEL library of resources, support visits, and input to staff development days (February and November), being of most interest.

Alerting teachers to the support and learning opportunities available was preferred by eBulletins and uploading CPD information via Stirling Council's CEBAS (Course, Event Booking & Administration System).

Forth Environment Link will work on these suggestions to improve the service offered to educators through the coming months. You can download the survey results here.

Anyone having any further suggestions, please contact Diane on 01786 449215 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .