Green Schoolyards for Youth

A green schoolyard promotes more social interaction, movement, and tranquility. This is also true for secondary schools and vocational education.

Secondary schools and vocational education institutions in Brabant are discovering the power of a green schoolyard. It promotes more social interaction, movement, and tranquility. On September 24, the partners of Schoolyards of the Future visited 2 educational institutions where green schoolyards are the new reality.

Students Design Their Own Schoolyard in Boxtel

Yuverta Boxtel is a vocational school for green education. Training manager Roland van Bekhoven and the green teachers Michiel van Kempen and Juul Verbeeten (also a former student) guide the guests through the development of the schoolyard. The design of the yard was created by the students themselves and, fitting for green education, was realized by the students themselves. There is already a lot of greenery to see, from flower-rich beds with herbs and figs to a beehive and picking forest.

In the future, a wadi will also be created to improve water management. “Green schoolyards are a smart and future-oriented choice; they contribute to a healthy and safe living environment with space for water,” says manager Mado Ruijs from the Water Board De Dommel. “That’s why we are happy with a green schoolyard like here in Boxtel.”

The yard is not yet finished. That is precisely the strength: the construction is being done step by step by the students, with the cooperation of the business community. In the future, they want to green the business area around the school together with established companies. This way, students become acquainted with all the different aspects of greening and also the various interests at play, inside and outside the school.

A Place for the School and the Neighborhood

At the Stedelijk Gymnasium in Breda, students from the eco-team and teacher and sustainability coordinator Ragne van Engelen guide the guests around the green schoolyard. They enthusiastically share, “we have transformed the yard into a space with lots of greenery. Among other things, a sparrow hotel, relocated trees from the municipality, and a green parking lot. And not only can we enjoy this green yard, but the neighborhood also makes use of it. The next step? Green bike racks, an outdoor classroom, and much more.”

For deputy Hagar Roijackers, the visit is special: this is her old school. “In my time, the schoolyard was entirely made of gray tiles. What a difference from what the students have created now. This way, the schoolyard becomes an extension of the classroom and contributes to a healthy living environment. I wish much more of our Brabant vocational schools and secondary schools to experience this.”

The Stedelijk Gymnasium Breda sets a good example. “Especially in urban areas, green schoolyards help retain water and reduce heat stress. It is nice to see that more and more schools are taking climate-adaptive measures and actively thinking about yards that are pleasant to play in and better at capturing water,” says acting dike reeve Rian Govers from the Water Board De Dommel.

Investing in the Future

“Whether it’s a new wadi, a flower garden, or a completely redesigned schoolyard: every step towards a healthy, green learning environment is valuable. We want all young people to grow up and learn in places that activate, connect, and inspire them,” says Jan Speelman, secretary of North Brabant at the Culture Fund.

With the Schoolyards of the Future scheme, schools can receive up to €10,000 in subsidies for greening their yard. Applications can be made again starting April 1, 2026. The scheme is a collaboration of the Province of North Brabant, the water boards Aa and Maas, Brabantse Delta, and De Dommel, Jong Leren Eten, and the Culture Fund North Brabant.