The project aims to develop learning and play in natural environments for primary schools to address the growing concern around children’s physical and mental health and is being piloted in Greater Manchester.
The Active Learning & Play in Natural Environments (ALPINE) project is a collaborative initiative between the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) and Canal & River Trust.
ALPINE, which is funded by Sport England, will transform after school clubs by incorporating fun, active, and engaging outdoor learning experiences using school grounds and the local area. Key objectives of the project include supporting schools to develop and embed outdoor active learning and increasing physical activity levels of students and staff.
“Play and learning in natural environments improves health, wellbeing, learning, socio-emotional and environmental outcomes.”
Dr Anne Hunt, chief executive of CLOtC
The scheme also looks to create a sustainable model that schools can continue beyond the pilot. Best practices and case studies will be shared at the CLOtC National Conference in Leeds in November 2025.
To pilot the scheme the CLOtC is looking for ten schools in the Greater Manchester area who want to use their school grounds and local area to get more active during after school clubs but don’t have the resources, the training or the confidence to do so. The project comes with a minimum grant of £1,500 to spend on developing school grounds and activities.
From September 2025 to March 2026 each after school club will be involved in Wild Experiences delivered by a dedicated project officer. The experiences include team building activities, outdoor gyms and obstacle courses, nature walks, art and creative activities and activities or projects that encourage biodiversity.
As part of the project staff and students will receive training on how to use the local area safely and stay safe around water. They will also be encouraged to create and try out their own ‘Wild’ activity ideas that will be collated into a final project resource pack to share with other schools.
Dr Anne Hunt, chief executive of CLOtC said: “Play and learning in natural environments improves health, wellbeing, learning, socio-emotional and environmental outcomes. We are excited to start working with schools on this project to find out what will help their after-school clubs build the confidence to deliver engaging, energetic, and educational activities in the natural spaces in their school grounds and local areas.”
Interested schools in Greater Manchester can find out more and register their interest here.
