OWL ‘On Air’ in Cumbria
Talking OWL with BBC Radio Cumbria
Listen to BBC Radio Cumbria
News that we have launched The OWL Collaboration in Cumbria captured the interest of the county’s BBC radio station, who wanted to find out more.
This national scheme, where we give schoolchildren the chance to enjoy a residential in the countryside – an Outdoor Week of Learning (OWL) – has been extended to Cumbria for the first time.
Here, we partner with the Country Trust to fund and deliver an innovative, hands-on pilot programme at our working farm, Low Beckside, in Mungrisdale.
So far, two schools have taken part in The OWL Collaboration, immersing themselves in outdoor activities such as ‘Wool the Wonder Fabric’, ‘Follow the Food’ and ‘Hidden Habitats’.
Our Head of Learning Programmes Development, Sarah White, and Hannah Jones-McVey, Residential Manager with The Country Trust, were invited on to BBC Radio Cumbria to chat to presenter Steph Finnon, about OWL and the impact it is having on the schools and children taking part.
Sarah said:
We’re all about nurturing a lifelong journey of learning, appreciation and respect for the countryside.
We really see some quite compelling changes during that week. Children who feel that they don’t possibly have an opportunity to shine in the classroom have experienced success for the first time out on the farm. Teachers tell us that some of those children go back feeling more able to take on challenges, are more confident about their learning, more connected
Hannah said:
The farm is such an incredible place for children to understand what’s going on with the environment, with farming, and to connect all these stories which are so relevant to them in such a spectacular landscape, it’s the most amazing gift of a place to take children to.
These are children who come from areas where they are unlikely to have much access to outdoor green spaces. Some have spectacular landscapes on their doorstep but that doesn’t mean they can access them, so giving them those opportunities is really important.
We invite you to listen to the BBC Radio Cumbria interview via the link above.
Find more information about The OWL Collaboration programme here:
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