PUPILS at a Borders primary school will begin a pilot of outdoor learning next year to help children connect with nature.

Chirnside Primary is one of 55 schools from 21 local authorities across Scotland taking part in the Learning about Forests (LEAF) programme.

Launched by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, the initiative will start in January and run until July with the hope of opening it up to all schools in August.

Nicola Davidson, education and learning officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are delighted to announce the 55 schools that will form our LEAF pilot programme.

“These schools, while working towards their Learning for Sustainability goals, are also helping us develop the programme for other schools in the country.

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“By participating in the LEAF programme pupils will gain a better understanding of the natural world and learn lifelong lessons about their environment and how to protect and promote it.”

The key focus of the LEAF programme is to “promote and expand outdoor education and connection with nature for young people”.

In doing so, organisers hope to give young people a deeper and more involved understanding of the natural world.

A number of benefits of outdoor education have been listed by the charity, including improvements in focus, mental wellbeing and academic outcomes.

Visit LEAF | Keep Scotland Beautiful for more information on the programme.