# WWF offers £100k to transform 10 UK primary schools’ outdoor spaces

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/10/15/wwf-100k-for-10-uk-primary-schools-outdoor-spaces/
- Published: 2025-10-15T08:22:31+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**WWF has launched the Happy By Nature Fund, providing 10 UK schools with a grant
worth £10,000 each to bring nature to their outdoor spaces.**

All state-funded infant, junior and primary schools in the UK can apply for the 
grants until **9 November** via the [Happy By Nature](https://www.wwf.org.uk/get-involved/schools/happy-by-nature/outdoor-inspiration)
hub.

The 10 grants are intended as pilot grants. They are designed to bring nature into
everyday learning and play in schools, whether that is greening a playground, creating
a nature zone, or enhancing outdoor learning areas.

## Advertisement

In applying schools will need to demonstrate:

 * Commitment to complete the project between December 2025 and December 2026
 * A current lack of quality green outdoor space
 * Strong senior leadership support for the project
 * Whole-school commitment to pupil involvement in the project

![Our Planet citizen science pilot using the iNaturalist platform with students 
of St Andrews School, Horsell. Surrey, UK. Students of class 4S watched footage 
of wildlife, discussed environmental issues, and undertook a bioblitz led by teacher
Steve Andrews to explore the biodiversity in their school grounds.](https://wfay6x.
infiniteuploads.cloud/2025/10/Medium_WW281724.jpg)

Our Planet citizen science pilot using the iNaturalist platform with students of
St Andrews School, Horsell. Surrey, UK. Photo: © Greg Armfield / WWF-UK

WWF will also be working with each school to make sure their outdoor spaces meet
their unique needs, and providing expert advice, support and training for staff 
with [Learning Through Landscapes](https://ltl.org.uk/) to help create green spaces
that last.

WWF is launching these grants nationally following a successful pilot project in
Leicester earlier this year, where funds were used to improve outdoor spaces and
bring nature into learning and play in schools across the city.

Jon Turner, Head of Education and Families at WWF-UK said:

> “Every child deserves to experience the joy and benefits of nature as part of 
> daily school life, but many schools are struggling to provide it.
> “Starting with the schools that need it most, the Happy By Nature fund, along 
> with expert guidance from Learning Through Landscapes, aims to empower schools
> to transform their outdoor spaces and bring nature to every child, every day.”
> ![Pupils and staff at Evelyn Community Primary School in Prescot, Merseyside, 
> on
> 16th July, 2025, take part in WWF’s Happy By Nature schools programme – helping
> children get their daily dose of nature through learning and play.](https://wfay6x.
> infiniteuploads.cloud/2025/10/Medium_WW1466152.jpg)
> Pupils and staff at Evelyn Community Primary School in Prescot, Merseyside, on
> 16th July, 2025, take part in WWF’s Happy By Nature schools programme – helping
> children get their daily dose of nature through learning and play. Photo: © Nathan
> O’Brien / WWF-UK

## Nature-based learning for all UK schools

Aiming to bring nature to 1 million children by 2028, WWF-UK is providing every 
school in the UK with access to free toolkits and practical guidance to improve 
nature-based learning and play via the Happy By Nature Hub.

Happy By Nature has already launched in the classroom with the first in a series
of live lessons hosted by wildlife presenter and WWF Ambassador Steve Backshall.

Matt Robinson, CEO of Learning through Landscapes, said:

> “We understand the challenges educators face in supporting pupils to connect with
> nature. We work to involve pupils in designing and developing quality, nature-
> rich spaces, while building teacher confidence through training and support. This
> ensures that it’s not just the green spaces that thrive, but the whole school.
> We’re delighted to be partnering with WWF-UK to deliver the Happy By Nature fund,
> embedding nature-based play in schools to support children’s wellbeing and development.”