The UK Government’s People and Nature Survey, published at the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, stated that 83% of children believe nature makes them happy, and that natural spaces are critical for children to make social connections.
We also know that many children living in poverty, children with special educational needs and disabilities, young carers, and young refugees often cannot access nature easily. And we recognise that the attainment gap between disadvantaged school students and their peers is increasing.
It's one of the main reasons why free, high quality, open spaces like Epping Forest are so important, offering public services in health and wellbeing, sports and recreation, and heritage and culture.
The City of London Corporation has a long history of investing in outdoor education for young people across London and Essex. In 2023, our Outdoor Learning team worked with more than 40,000 students.
I am surprised by how few people know that the Epping Forest Field Studies Centre in High Beach was actually built City Corporation in 1970 (field-studies-council.org/locations/eppingforest/).
The centre can accommodate 180 students across six classrooms with direct access to the Forest’s woodland, grassland, heath and rivers.
Hundreds of thousands of students have benefitted from these facilities over the last 50 years, and many have gone on to hold national leadership roles in industry.
The centre caters for families and children aged between 18 months and 14 years, in addition to the formal classroom provision available to primary, secondary, sixth form, and university students. It is also the perfect venue for children’s birthday parties.
And this isn’t the only outdoor education centre in Epping Forest.
It provides learning opportunities and events for early years to A-levels, families, and community groups.
The London Borough of Newham’s residential education centre has also been based at Debden House since 1949 and offers camping and conference facilities.
For those interested, the City Corporation’s School Visits Fund allows schools to apply for grants to pay for trips to its cultural venues – including Epping Forest.
Funding is available to any state-maintained school with a pupil premium rate of 35% or more, special schools or youth organisations. Schools can apply for up to £275 for any trip that takes place on Tuesday to Thursday, and for up to £325 for any trip taking place on Mondays or Fridays.
Of course, our engagement with young people extends beyond outdoor education. It exists across our volunteer workforce, at our events, in our visitor centres, and with our Youth Ambassadors, to name just a few!
Although some people think of Epping Forest as just a few old trees, its true purpose is in helping overcome big societal challenges.
We live in a world where many feel disconnected from nature, where we need creative scientific solutions to address the climate crisis, and to tackle inequalities whilst enriching people’s lives. And I am proud that our team at Epping Forest are playing their part.
For further details about any of the schemes mentioned, please email epping.forest@cityoflondon.gov.uk or to find out what else Epping Forest has going on go to: cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest/learning-in-epping-forest
- Ben Murphy is chairman of the City Corporation’s Epping Forest and Commons Committee.
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