Nottingham’s parks and open spaces are the basis of a new education pack for primary schools in the city.

The book has been compiled by Nottingham City Council’s park rangers and provides lesson plans about the natural world. A copy has been given to all the city’s primaries, and 30,000 wallplanners with details of park events have also been sent out - one for every primary pupil.

“The educational role of the park rangers has been growing every year so that now we have a full programme of events and activities that tackle such issues as education, child obesity, health and crime,” said Councillor Dave Trimble, of Nottingham City Council. “There is no learning that cannot be transferred from a classroom into a park.

“We can link into geography, history, English, maths and science, and even languages. Added to that, pupils look at all the benefits that come from our parks and open spaces and also at the problems caused by litter, broken glass, dog fouling and other anti-social behaviour.”

Outdoor teaching has been taking place in Nottingham for more than two years. Last year 8,611 children took part in lessons in their local park. AR.