about earth calling
curriculum for excellence
“The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities - to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor.”
Scotland’s new curriculum – the Curriculum for Excellence – is a significant change from the previous framework. Tests and exams are no longer the core focus, and instead it encourages the achievements and experiences of children to be the main drivers of their development. It is hoped this will create well-rounded people through the ‘four capacities’ of the curriculum, which, in turn, will improve their learning ability and increase attainment. It gives far more flexibility in teaching methods, allowing teachers to be more creative in their lessons.
This curriculum fits hand in hand with the Earth Calling style of teaching. As it is not centred on passing exams, and instead favours learning through achievements and experiences, it gives Earth Calling the ability to make a genuine contribution to curriculum teaching. We provide experiences which contribute to all of the four capacities. In ‘successful learners’, the enthusiasm with which we teach translates into excitement and enthusiasm in the children, which leads to more effective learning. As the children work in groups in a completely different setting to the usual indoor teaching, they become aware of and open to new ways of thinking and a new view of the world. ‘Responsible citizens’ highlights several points that we can contribute to. Rather than only learning about the environment in the classroom, our sessions provide tangible experiences which help improve children’s knowledge of the world and their local areas. We also encourage a respect for wildlife and wild places, thereby allowing them to make more informed decisions and evaluate environmental issues with personal experiences. To give children the chance to be ‘effective contributors’, we provide an opportunity to communicate with each other in different ways and in a far different setting to their usual. Working in teams is key to us, and importantly, all individuals are able to contribute equally to the tasks that we set them, no matter their level of academic achievements. This leads to more ‘confident individuals’, giving children who may struggle in the classroom the ability to shine during our teaching sessions. It may also encourage them to pursue a healthy and active lifestyle, as the experiences we provide in local wild places may inspire them to spend more time outdoors, expanding on what we have taught and shown them.
These are just a few examples of how we can slot into Curriculum for Excellence teaching. In particular, we contribute most to the ‘health and wellbeing’ experiences and outcomes, and of course ‘Planet Earth’ in the sciences. It has been proven that outdoor teaching improves the effectiveness of classroom learning for all children for many reasons. As the curriculum provides opportunities to teach in a more creative and flexible way, our teaching sessions can contribute greatly to classroom learning. There’s nothing like a morning in the woods to inspire children, and adults, to learn and discover more about the world!
mission
As one of the leading voices in environmental education, Earth Calling supplies 'hands on' unique environmental projects and activities to schools and the community. Established in 1999, our ethos is simple... through the passion and motivation of our team we encourage children and young adults to get involved in the future protection and conservation of their local environment.
wildlife after-school and holiday clubs
We run very popular wildlife clubs in primary schools across Edinburgh. These offer a wide range of fun and adventurous wildlife and environmental activities and projects in the local environment. Full-day Easter and summer holiday clubs give children an exciting opportunity to explore new places with a wildlife twist.
wildlife gardens and ranger services
Much of our time is spent creating new areas for nature to thrive within school grounds. These wildlife gardens are an invaluable addition to many schools - areas for work, rest and play, providing unique educational tools and inspiration to take back to the classroom. Getting children involved is key and teams of wildlife rangers not only learn new skills, but also care for and respect the environment they see every day.
outdoor classroom
The spring and summer months bring joy to children of all ages when we take them out of the school to teach in the local environment. Not only does this hands-on education bring nature to life on the day, but the experience continues with related activities back in the classroom.
profile
Earth Calling was founded in 1998 by Angus Egan to run wildlife after-school clubs. The need for specialist grounds development and environment curriculum fieldwork services was soon clear and we have since worked closely with the ‘Grounds For Awareness’ initiative.
Alongside successfully running Earth Calling, Angus Egan’s training and experience are as follows:
- Scottish Wildlife Trust conservation volunteer 1993-95
- HND Conservation Management, Oatridge College (top conservation student) 1995-97
- SWT Wildlife Watch Senior Team Leader 1998-2007
awards
We have extensive knowledge of the award criteria for many eco initiatives and can help you focus your activities towards them.
- We have been involved with the Forest Schools initiative, having successfully run the initial pilot sessions in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Over several months, these classes engaged children in curriculum based-activities in local woodland. This exciting style of teaching is gaining popularity throughout the country.
- Several schools we're involved with have achieved 'green flag' status from Eco Schools. Blackhall won Best Primary School Wildlife Garden in 2004’s Garden in Bloom competition.
- One of Angus Egan’s SWT Wildlife Watch member’s won the organisation’s Young Environmentalist Scotland 1994 award
reviews
What your colleagues think of us!
As the parent of two children who have enjoyed Earth Calling's wildlife after-school club and holiday adventures for over four years, I am very grateful to Gus and his team for the fantastic experiences and opportunities they have provided. When children come home with glowing cheeks, bursting with excitement and news of their latest wildlife adventures, it is one of the best parenting moments. Gus and his team do a wonderful job. They are fantastic ambassadors for nature and they give children an essential, but increasingly rare, component of childhood - the chance to experience wildlife and woodland in a stress-free, chilled way. Wildlife Club nourishes children for life - it's the best!
Tina Woolnough (journalist, community representative and parent)
I have had experience of working with Earth Calling in two different schools over several years in a variety of roles; they have supported staff and pupils through involvement in developments such as eco-schools, forest schools, grounds for awareness, forest rangers and environmental education. Their expertise and experience in these areas is clearly evident in their performance and the professional service they deliver.
Feedback from all staff, parents and pupils has always been very positive. The children are completely inspired to learn more about their environment when working with this fantastic team.
Caroline Sanderson (HT Fox Covert ND)
This year our main focus within Eco Schools has been the development of our garden into a learning environment. Earth Calling have been involved at every step of the way; from speaking at assemblies, suggesting resources, working with the pupils in the design, building the pond and Sensory Garden and provision of CPD, Earth Calling have been invaluable.
Chris Kelly (Principal teacher Balgreen)
Earth Calling has been an invaluable resource to St. David's in the development of our Environmental and Nursery Gardens. They have provided us with advice and physical help, as well as training our pupils to become Environmental Rangers. The development of the gardens has been a contributory factor towards us gaining our Silver Eco School status.
Rosemary McMillan (HT St Davids)
Longstone Primary look forward to visits from Earth Calling. The children are really motivated to the Earth Calling enthusiastic but practical approach. The team have helped our pupils to transform areas of the grounds this has given great educational and eco opportunities for our pupils to be involved in learning.
Anne MacLean (HT Longstone PS)
The excellent ranger service and forest school programmes were greatly enjoyed by the staff and children. They have supported independent conservation and development programmes in our school grounds, providing top quality environmental awareness and syllabus continuity.”
’Our kids loved working with Earth Calling, it really brought them out of their shells”
’The right balance of fun and education – spot on!”
’Interesting, useful and enjoyable – a rare combination!”
Cathy Grant, Chris Hamilton (Fox Covert RC)
Earth Calling are terrific! Gus has filled our pupils and staff with enthusiasm about developing our grounds to encourage wildlife and we can't wait to get stuck in! We love worms!
Fran Nelson (Corstorphine Primary School)
Thanks to Gus and his team, the plans that we originally drew up for our garden are all now in place and the garden is being used to great effect by our pupils and staff. What was originally a building site full or rubble now boasts grassy areas, a seating area, a pond and marsh, a maze, raised beds for growing herbs, vegetables etc, and an area for fruit trees and shrubs.
Gus has also been a source of valuable ideas to enhance the garden further.
Janice McLean (HT Broomhouse Primary)
Earth Calling are an invaluable asset towards education and conservation of wildlife amongst young people. This not only helps prevent illegal nest site destruction of urban wildfowl which tends to be committed by children of primary school age but also prepares young people to accommodate and respect wildlife for the rest of their lives. Earth Calling's involvement in Blackhall Primary School is one of the principle reasons a local badger sett and bluebell wood has been allowed to thrive. The lessons learned in the Wildlife Club about the species and the law governing them is a message which remains with pupils throughout secondary education. Consequently, with so much destruction in today's modern world, local nature is allowed to flourish.At a time when more and more wildlife crimes are being discovered by Police as they continue to investigate these offences with increased vigour, Earth Calling leads the way with essential education which will help the next generation to respect wildlife, protect species and help combat future wildlife persecution.
Charlie Everitt, Wildlife liason police officer
Earth Calling have made an enormous impact on extending and enhancing our Curriculum for Excellence development. Pupils, who have formerly had little real awareness of their local natural environment are now knowledgeable and buzzing with enthusiasm. Staff feel they have added a new dimension and confidence to their teaching about the environment Pupils in P4 have created non fiction books for the school library thus sharing their expertise with other learners. Wild life Rangers sessions and club are eagerly looked forward to! Staff are already saying - how can we build on this next year?
Sadie Millar HT Niddriemill PS
East Craigs Primary has a long standing relationship with Gus Egan and the Earth Calling Team … they have a pivotal role in our Eco work.
Over the years, we have created an Eco garden with a fabulous pond – our frogs, toads and newts are 3rd generation … the children and staff love being able to see the life cycles first hand. We have developed a forest area in our playground, where the children can play or sit on the log stools at lunchtime … perfect for the child who just needs a little bit of peace in their day. We are about to open our Supergrounds outdoor classroom - the team have created for us a learning environment which is just amazing.
The most defining thing about the Earth Calling team is their relationships with the children. You just have to see the children’s faces when Gus joins us at Assembly to know how important he is to them - his ability to make learning fun is key. Class lessons range from getting the children out for litter surveys to exploring our Eco garden for wildlife! Children love participating in our Wildlife Rangers group. Earth Calling even offer after school clubs … our Wildlife Club has been running successfully for 2 years now. It’s pretty safe to say … we are their biggest fans!
Arran Finlay (Deputy Head East Craigs)
For those who have yet to encounter Gus and the Earth Calling team, I must say that it is hard to know where to begin – I could share a whole plethora of positive thoughts! Suffice it to say that, in the several years during which Gus has helped to transform our school grounds through a range of projects big and small - including a willow dome, a wildlife garden (or rather an enchanted forest, in the younger children’s hearts and minds!), raised beds, a pond, and a sensory garden - the Earth Calling crew have shown themselves to be highly organised and efficient. Most importantly to me, though, they have been endlessly patient and good-humoured, even when confronted with unexpected hitches, and Gus’ empathy and wit always proves to be a real tonic on a stressful day!
Mhari McDonald (Teacher Fort Primary)
Just a quick note to say thanks for all the great work that you did with the Blackhall wildlife clubs this year. It is one of the few things that Katie does which she comes home from really energised and enthusiastic and willing to tell me what she has been up to! She really looks forward to wildlife club every week. It's also great to see the kids building up a love of the outdoors.
Fiona Darling (parent)