Green courtyard at Obchodná akadémia

At Obchodná akadémia in Nitra, Slovakia, students and teachers joined forces to transform a neglected playground into a vibrant green courtyard. Through hands-on activities such as planting vegetables and herbs, fruit trees, maintaining garden beds, relocating compost, and installing bird feeders and bee houses, they gradually created a welcoming and calming outdoor space for the whole school community.

The transformation was not without challenges. Limited access to materials and tools, together with drainage issues and puddling, highlighted the importance of thoughtful infrastructure planning. These obstacles encouraged participants to reflect on how the site could be further improved, both in terms of biodiversity and functionality.

Collaboration was at the heart of the project. By working towards a shared goal, students and teachers strengthened relationships, developed practical gardening skills, and gained valuable knowledge about plants and green space management. Beyond the visible environmental improvements, the project fostered a strong sense of ownership, teamwork and pride in creating a greener school environment. As a result of its sustained efforts in the fields of energy efficiency, greening, nature conservation and environmental awareness, the school was awarded the prestigious Green School Certificate.

The school garden and green areas established through the FullCircle project have become much more than a beautified outdoor space. They now serve as an outdoor classroom, a place for teamwork and creativity, a setting for relaxation and wellbeing, and a practical learning environment that connects education with everyday life and future careers.

Building on these achievements, the school aims to further embed outdoor learning in the coming years. Teachers are already integrating outdoor activities and sustainability topics into different subjects, while students actively contribute to the care and maintenance of the green spaces. Future plans include interdisciplinary project days that bring together subjects such as biology, geography and languages, as well as stronger cooperation with local partners through guest lectures and joint greening initiatives. An annual Green Day, during which all students work together in the garden, helps maintain the site, complete larger tasks and celebrate the progress achieved throughout the year.

As a school that prepares students for practical life, future employment, and active participation in society, Obchodná akadémia sees outdoor education as a powerful learning tool. Through their involvement in the project, students learn to take responsibility for their surroundings, deepen their understanding of environmental sustainability, collaborate effectively with others, and develop creative solutions to real-world challenges. The initiative also promotes inclusion by offering practical, collaborative and experiential learning opportunities that allow different types of learners to thrive.

“What started as a neglected playground became a place for learning, wellbeing and community.”