Eco Classroom unveiled at Green Britain Centre
New education space part of summer of success for Centre
A new Eco Classroom has been unvieled at the Green Britain Centre in Swaffham, Norfolk, offering interactive ways for groups to learn about nature, food and renewable energy.
The classroom is part of a summer of success for the Centre, which has also joined the Eco Attractions Group, become a Blue Peter Attraction, and been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge.
As part of the Eco Attractions Group, the Green Britain Centre joins an elite group of environmental attractions in Britain, including the Eden Project, the National Wildflower Centre, the Centre for Alternative Technology and Kew Gardens – all of whom will collaborate and share knowledge, learning and resources.
By becoming a Blue Peter Attraction, the Centre will offer a free turbine tour for anyone with a Blue Peter badge – and feature on the Blue Peter website.
The Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge is another big success for the Centre – recognition that it offers a high standard of learning and safety, recognised by teachers and organisations which provide outdoor learning.
Paul Woodmin, head of the Green Britain Centre, said: “The Green Britain Centre has become a real success story for Norfolk – and we’re always looking to improve what we offer at the Centre.
“Our grounds already contain an organic vegetable garden, a heritage orchard, a bee friendly native meadow, a play area, and a windmill and solar tracker – so the addition of the Eco Classroom makes this an even better resource for schools, families and groups.
“The space will help us to bring the natural world to life for thousands of people all year round – it will help us to inspire the next generation to respect and enjoy nature, to understand the benefits of renewable energy, and to get their hands dirty in our organic garden.”
The Eco Classroom provides new and interactive ways for groups to learn about organic food growing, green energy and the environment, with lessons now able to take place outside all year round in the heart of the Centre’s 4.5 acre grounds. The space will also be available to hire for meetings, events and children’s parties upon request.
One of the first groups to use the classroom was the 28th Leicester (Wigston) cubs, who were awarded their environmental conservation badges after exploring the grounds and receiving a workshop by Paul Woodmin, the head of the Green Britain Centre.
The classroom was part funded by a Big Lottery Fund Awards for All grant of £10,000, with additional funding coming from the Green Britain Foundation, the charity which runs the Centre. It was built by The Hideout House Company, which specialises in turning outdoor spaces into engaging and educational areas through the building of outdoor classrooms and shelters.
Simon Fearnehough, director, The Hideout House Company Ltd, said: “As a company dedicated to supplying products and buildings which promote environmental awareness and sustainable thinking, we have been absolutely delighted to work alongside Ecotricity and the Green Britain Centre to provide them with their Eco Classroom. The building will play a major role in the whole eco education programme and visitor experience at the Centre and we look forward to developing further projects in future.”
To book the Eco Classroom or one of the other spaces at the Centre for parties, events, meetings and more, please call 01760 726736.
