When presented with a blank canvas, it can be a little daunting... a fantastic space to develop and a massive potential to create a space that could really make a difference to a lot of children.

 

I wanted to create something a little different; something that would stand out from the crowd and offer the staff and pupils a unique, versatile, yet workable space for learning throughout the year.

 

The area had already been fenced and a pond area, with decking had been put in place, so I based my plans around this. Feeling that the pond was not big enough, I chose to add to this exisiting pond, digging an additional one, with a bog area as well.

 

WildLearning Area

 

My plans  included dividing the area into four 'zones'; (Green shows our progress so far)

 

Birds:

                - Planting for birds to provide seed heads and berries - Many planted, more planned

                - A feeding station with hide accessible at break and dinner times - Feeding station completed

                - A giant bird box for children to enter and build their own nests. This

                  will also double as a bird hide. Giant Bird Hide completed

                - Information boards to help with bird ID   Temporary, laminated info. Funds needed for permanent

                   signage

 

Mammals:

               - A 'Mammal Dome' burrow and tunnel system for children to enter -Willow dome completed

               - Hedgehog boxes and feeding station - Hedgehog box and log pile installed

               - Mammal feeding station viewable from dome - Food & trail cam set on log pile

               - Habitat creation good for small ammals to hide and live in - Log piles, rock piles and compost

 

Insects / Invertebrates:

              - Meadow planting for an attractive, insect rich habitat - Wild flower mix planted in grass area

              - Nectar rich planting area to attract butterflies & bees in particular - Buddleias planted & nectar rich

                 plants - more planned

              - Large invertebrate habitat wall where all children contribute to make a

                'bug/bee home' with them all mounted to create eye-catching functional

                art structure -

             - Giant frames on which children can build a spider webs - Frames completed

             - Frames for spiders to build webs within the grass/meadow/insect  areas

             - Information boards to help with insect ID - Temporary boards, funding needed for permanent

                signage

 

Pond:

            - Two pond areas, with varying depths and natural planting - Completed

            - Bog area - Completed

            - Pond-dipping platform - Completed

 

Paths run throughout the site and to the specific zones, where there are seating areas for children to work safely. There are paths all the way from the school buildings to encourage all-year round use.

 

The area is growing and develop with a lot more being added over the next few years. It will be an evolving project!