Current Programmes

This academic year OASES is delivering the following programmes, providing opportunities for schools to engage in everything from habitat creation to teacher training all for FREE or at a reduced cost.

FOOD DURHAM - CONNECTING AND SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD PARTNERSHIP 

Following the success of our National Lottery Community Fund application OASES, will develop and support Food Durham – The County Durham Food Partnership, over the next three years. The partnership will work strategically to develop a sustainable local food system as well as supporting communities to grow their own food. This will help to create a thriving local food culture in County Durham.

CHILDREN 4 CLIMATE CHANGE?/EMPOWERING ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

OASES is working with  Durham University and Northumbrian Water, along with 25 schools across County Durham to raise awareness of the issue of Climate Change. The classes have been invited to learn all the latest facts about climate change. The children then create a short film, using green screen technology, to educate others about the issue and expound their own feelings about the crisis. They are then invited to take part in the John Muir Award, taking practical on the ground action like tree planting and stream clearance. Visit our dedicated website for more information c4cc.org.uk.

ECO₂ SMART SCHOOLS

This initiative is only available to schools that buy into Durham County Council's Energy SLA.  OASES works with these schools to reduce their Carbon emissions and their energy bills.  Since the project's inception in 2010 these schools have collectively saved over £2.6 million against business as usual predictions.

OMEGA

OASES, Sunderland City Council and Together for Children have created the OMEGA project to get our schools and communities growing, eating and enjoying healthy food.

Working with OASES skilled gardening experts class gardening and family learning participants learned the essentials of food growing and healthy eating. Sense of smell is an essential and underestimated component of how we taste food. The activities were designed to enhance sense of smell and to enrich the eating experience through sensory exploration of all the fruit and vegetables they were growing and eating.

TREES FOR CHILDREN

Trees for children is a ground breaking programme of community tree planting to combat climate change in partnership with Durham County Council.

Local schools are linked to sites in their neighbourhood to take part in tree planting as part of action to reduce our carbon footprint. Tree planting gives children a tangible activity they can take part in to tackle climate change and to help local wildlife. Children collect seeds from local trees to grow their own saplings to be planted out in their school grounds.

SEASCAPES

As part of the Tyne to Tees, Shores and Seas Partnership Scheme (SeaScapes), OASES are delivering the educational elements of two projects; coastlines and coast at war. Over three years (2021 - 2024), OASES will deliver educational workshops to KS1 and KS2 pupils from schools across the SeaScapes area. The workshops and visit will tie in with other SeaScapes projects, such as archaeological digs and shipwreck mapping, allowing the children to learn more about the heritage of their local area and have experiences they otherwise wouldn't get to do.

NATURE AND NUTURE

OASES are providing targeted forest bathing programmes through this partnership project between OASES, Durham County Council’s Emotional Wellbeing and Effective Learning Service and CAMHS. 

The programmes are targeted for children identified in school as needing additional support relating to their wellbeing and mental health.    Funded by Mid Durham AAP, OASES are working with 4 schools across county Durham.  Forest Bathing Leader training is provided for participating school.

NATURE FOR WELLBEING

Durham AAP have funded a training course for twelve teaching staff from schools located in the Durham AAP Area to attend a Forest Bathing Course in September 2022.

LEARNING THROUGH LANDSCAPES LOCAL SCHOOL NATURE GRANT

OASES North East deliver Local School Nature Grant school staff training sessions through their Postcode Lottery funded Local School Nature Grants programme.  

To find out more and to apply for a grant for your school follow the link below.

https://www.ltl.org.uk/projects/local-school-nature-grants/


Outdoor And Sustainability Education Specialists



Outdoor and Sustainability Education Service
The EWE Centre,
Esh Winning Primary School
The Wynds, Esh Winning,
Durham, DH7 9BE