Beyond the Classroom: South West Peak

This is an archived website, available until June 2027. We hope it will inspire people to continue to care for and protect the South West Peak area and other landscapes. Although the South West Peak Landscape Partnership ended in June 2022, the area is within the Peak District National Park. Enquiries can be made to customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk

The 5-year South West Peak Landscape Partnership, 2017-2022, was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Beyond the Classroom

Project summary

Beyond the Classroom connected young people to the South West Peak through curriculum-based learning, through practical conservation projects, and through nature connection activities.

By working with organisations like Buxton Civic Association, Transition Buxton, Residents of Fairfield Association and Moorlands Climate Action we created a strong legacy through our Buxton Wild Weeks and Fairer for Nature projects.

What we achieved

2093 young people engaged with Beyond the Classroom sessions
680 young people took part in Beyond the Classroom projects
543 voluntary conservation activities by young people (1196 hours of conservation)
164 young people achieved The John Muir Award at Discover Level
15 young people achieved John Muir Award at Explorer Level

Fostered appreciation for physical fitness among young people by exposing them to the great outdoors
Offered opportunities for students to learn scientific field skills through practical projects
Worked with teachers to develop new and exciting programmes that meet their needs
Adopted the John Muir Award scheme to recognise the individual commitment of the young people taking part
Set up Buxton Junior Rangers to create ongoing volunteering opportunities for young people – visit the Junior Rangers page on the Peak District National Park website to find out more.

Helping you go Beyond the Classroom

Free to download, information for activity leaders and teachers:

Buxton Wild Weeks Greenspace Discovery Booklet – Discover a wide range of information about a local greenspace without the need for lots of specialist knowledge
Greenspace Discovery Booklet – Leaders Notes
My 10 Days Outdoors – an activity focused around increasing nature connection

Buxton Wild Weeks – Awareness, Appreciation and Action

Buxton Wild Weeks began as part of the Beyond the Classroom project and is set to continue each year, visit the Facebook page for regular updates.

If you’re part of the Moorlands community, then you’ll be happy to know that 2022 will mark the first Moorlands Wild Week. Visit the Moorlands Climate Action to get in contact and find out more.