New Heritage Education Programme Aims to Let Children Play in Nature

Over 120,000 primary school children throughout the country are expected to take part in the Heritage in Schools Programme that has been significantly expanded this year to include a number of environmental specialists.

The programme is an initiative of the Heritage Council and is administered by the INTO.  This year ENFO has come on board to support the scheme and its expanding number of specialists to help meet the demands from schools. The scheme promotes outdoor learning and interaction with nature along with all aspects of our diverse heritage. The emphasis on outdoor learning aims to give children and teachers a first hand experience of their local heritage, whether by learning to listen out for common birds or by going on a nature hunt to learning how to make prehistoric musical instruments, spin wool, listen to a local storyteller or handle a medieval sword and shield.

A new Heritage in Schools Directory listing over 150 local environmental and heritage specialists by county will be circulated to primary schools across the country this month.  Schools can select the heritage expert of their choice and book the visit with the INTO.

The Heritage Council largely covers the costs of the scheme and the School also covers a percentage of the costs. Disadvantaged schools pay a reduced portion of the cost and are especially encouraged to take part.  The overall budget for this year is €450,000 and the schools will contribute approximately €80,000.

The Heritage in Schools scheme aims to give children and their teachers a hands on approach so they can leave the classroom and enjoy a first hand experience of their natural environment. The scheme’s success is due in part to the expert support it offers teachers while meeting the needs of the new Social, Environment and Scientific Education curriculum.

“The Heritage in Schools Scheme has been hugely successful since it was launched in 1999 when it had 15 specialists on its panel,” said Isabell Smyth, Head of Communication and Education with the Heritage Council.  “Additional funding from ENFO this year has allowed us to continue to build on the expertise available on the scheme.  Recent international studies highlight the importance of nature and playing outdoors for children. At a time when children are spending more and more time indoors, it is a priority for the Heritage Council that we encourage children to experience the joy and value of learning from the natural world as much as possible. Just watch a child’s delight when experiencing the wonder of holding a worm in his or her hand and watch it wriggle around.  No matter how developed our modern technology, it cannot compare to the direct and immediate experience of nature and it is important that all children get the opportunity to benefit from this experience,” she continued.

The new Heritage in Schools Directory is being sent to all primary schools in the country this month.  A Heritage in Schools website is currently being developed and will be launched later in the year.