Eco Drama is proud to launch our landmark 10-year impact report for ‘Out to Play’, celebrating a decade of transforming playgrounds into vibrant, imaginative learning environments across Greater Glasgow and Scotland.
Since 2015, the project has achieved an incredible milestone, reaching 100 schools, equipping over 4,000 educators, and inspiring more than 11,500 children.
Through immersive three-to-five-week residencies led by specialised Drama Artists, Out to Play combines drama, storytelling and outdoor learning to help children reconnect with nature, boost attainment, and develop vital meta-skills. The project places a particular focus on areas where poverty creates barriers to learning and nature access.
“I hadn’t realised the power of imagination within outdoor learning”.
Teacher after participating in a CPD session
A Decade of Measured Success
Our new 10-year summary report captures the profound, lasting changes experienced by pupils and educators alike. Following five-week residencies:
- 95% of teachers committed to continuing to incorporate drama and storytelling outdoors
- 84% of teachers reported successful development in pupils’ communication skills.
- 79% (8 in 10 pupils) built the confidence to share their ideas in groups.
- 72% of teachers observed a successful advancement in pupils’ literacy skills.
- 87% of pupils agreed that their choices can help keep our planet healthy.
Reflecting on the impact, Heather Douglas, former Head of Early Learning and Childcare at Glasgow City Council, noted: “The opportunity for Glasgow’s youngest children to access and think about nature in a creative way, weaving together so many possibilities in their developing brains, has been hugely important.”
Explore Our Research Journey
While this new milestone report provides a wonderful overview of our ten-year journey, our commitment to rigorous evaluation goes much deeper. Over the last decade, we have consistently analysed and documented our data to show why a creative, arts-based approach is essential – not just for outdoor learning and play, but to achieve impactful Learning for Sustainability.
You can read all of our previous, in-depth evaluation documents, including individual annual summaries, project reviews, and specific early years findings, by visiting the Eco Drama Reports & Evaluations hub.
“I loved it because nature is what is inside me. Thank you – it has been a delight.” Pupil after participating in a 5-week residency
Free Resource Pack Giveaway: Claim Yours Today!
To celebrate this major milestone, we are giving away £1,200 worth of Out to Play resource packs completely free of charge!
Educators can choose from 5 resource packs, including our newly launched ASN resource, each packed with outdoor arts activities, drama games, nature stories, and storytelling tips tailored specifically for primary schools, early years settings, and ASN schools.
- Who is eligible? Primary school teachers, early years practitioners, and ASN educators working across Glasgow and the wider Scottish landscape.
- How to enter: Packs are allocated on a strict first-come, first-served basis. We are able to offer one pack per setting. To secure yours, email suzanne@ecodrama.co.uk with the following details:
- Your name
- Your educational setting (school/nursery name)
- Your mailing address
- Your preferred pack choice from the 5 Out to Play resources
Don’t miss out on bringing a piece of the Out to Play magic into your setting – get in touch today!
Which Out to Play Resource Pack?
Read more about the Out to Play resource packs below to help make your choice!
- Let’s Go…Out to Play! Second Edition (Primary Teachers P1-7, recommended)
- Let’s Go…Out to Play! First Edition (Primary Teachers P1-7)
- Let’s Go…Out to Play! Early Years (Early Years Practitioners/P1-3 Teachers)
- Nature Stories for Children (Practitioners working with children aged 5-11 years)
- Let’s Go…Out to Play! ASN Educators (working with children aged 3-16 years)
