Green courtyard at GO! atheneum en leefschool De Tandem

At GO! atheneum en leefschool De Tandem (Belgium), students and teachers worked together to transform an underused inner courtyard into a vibrant green learning environment. What was once a largely unused space with little opportunity for interaction became a welcoming outdoor area designed to support wellbeing, environmental awareness and meaningful connections with nature.

The transformation was driven by a dedicated eco-team of enthusiastic students and teachers. Working closely with a landscape architect, they developed a zoning plan that balanced biodiversity, learning and recreation. The design included the planting of trees, raised vegetable beds and comfortable seating areas with picnic tables, creating a diverse and attractive space that responds to the needs and ideas of the school community.

A key feature of the project is the outdoor classroom, which enables small groups of students to learn in the open air. By bringing lessons outside, the school has created new opportunities for experiential learning and stronger engagement with environmental topics. The courtyard is no longer simply a green space; it has become an extension of the classroom and a place where students can learn, collaborate and relax. In addition, the school installed a weather station that provides real-time data on temperature, rainfall and wind conditions. This data is now used across several subjects, supporting lessons on weather, climate, climate change and data analysis while helping students connect scientific concepts with observations from their immediate environment.

The initiative has also sparked a broader movement within the school. What began as a courtyard redesign evolved into an active green team that continues to explore ways of making the school more sustainable, healthier and more climate-resilient. Students and teachers regularly work together to identify new greening opportunities and strengthen the school’s connection with nature.

The project demonstrates that greening school grounds transforms far more than the physical environment. By creating space for biodiversity, outdoor learning and social interaction, the courtyard has become a valuable resource that supports wellbeing, encourages environmental stewardship and strengthens collaboration across the entire school community.

“We didn’t just redesign a courtyard, we created a place where people, nature and learning come together.”