Explore Play Wales
Learning through Landscapes (LtL) has launched its 2026 Schools Grounds Survey, open to every state-funded school for children aged four to sixteen in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The survey will take around 20 minutes to complete and is available in English and Welsh.
The study aims to build the strongest evidence base yet on the cultural value, development and use of school grounds. The online survey asks schools to share information about their grounds and how they are used, allowing Professor John McKendrick (Glasgow Caledonian University) and LtL to build a picture of the provision and usage of outdoor spaces at schools across the UK.
Results will be compared across nations, regions, school sizes and types, and age groups, before being combined with data collected from Scotland in 2025 to produce a UK-wide picture.
By completing the survey, educators have an opportunity not only to reflect on their own grounds and how they are used, but also to contribute to an important body of evidence. Schools completing the survey can choose to enter a prize draw.
A short report will be available in spring 2027, with a larger academic analysis to follow next summer.
Closing date for completing the survey: 30 November 2026