Helping educators make a lasting impact through outdoor learning

Education at a Time of Emergency is a University of Exeter-led research project with Lestari Environmental Education, supporting school-focused outdoor learning in partnership with Eden Project, Devon County Council, The Wildlife Trust, On The Hill, Paignton Zoo and others.

The project explores how outdoor education can empower practitioners to make a deeper impact in times of social, environmental, and educational uncertainty.

Fresh Ground Films Exeter | Cinematic Stories With Soul

The Challenge

The team wanted a film that would bring to life the stories and settings behind their work — showcasing how outdoor education is delivered across varied locations and partners.

They needed a concise project summary to explain the research in a way that felt human and real, as well as a social-first version for outreach and future funding bids.

Fresh Ground Films Exeter | Cinematic Stories With Soul

Our Filming Approach

We visited multiple partner locations and interviewed participants in settings that reflected the project’s ethos: natural, grounded, and open.

Filming was kept as observational and unobtrusive as possible, with natural soundbites and visual storytelling that reflected the diversity of each setting.

Due to the presence of school children and GDPR restrictions, we worked closely with the client on consent protocols, ensuring all participants were filmed respectfully and ethically.

We remained agile on the day to match weather conditions and capture meaningful moments in limited time windows — blending pre-planned and spontaneous coverage.

Fresh Ground Films Exeter | Cinematic Stories With Soul

The Outcome

The main film was delivered alongside two additional shorts created for one of the partner organisations, making the most of the footage captured.

The client team were pleased with how naturally the work came across, and the films are now being used:

  • As part of funding bids and reporting

  • To communicate the value of the project to wider audiences

  • And to celebrate the partner organisations’ contributions

The films are also being used internally to encourage continued collaboration across the project’s growing network.

🎥 See the story in action

Explore how outdoor learning is empowering educators to connect, adapt, and inspire in times of change.

Let's work together

Cinematic Stories With Soul

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