Working in School Grounds

The Countryside Management Partnerships (CMPs) have assisted many schools with the development of nature areas in their grounds. Nature areas can include some of the following:

ponds and boggy bits
trees and shrubs
wildflowers
artificial homes such as bird and bat boxes, and log piles
paths and structures such as seats, dipping platforms and raised beds
interpretation.

The CMPs can:

provide advice on planning, funding, health and safety, and maintenance
survey for wildlife that might already be on site
engage with children throughout the process
help with construction, supplying tools and materials and advise on contractors
lead school groups or volunteers during construction and possibly supply volunteers!
ensure that the nature area incorporates some fun art
explain where local products can be put to use.

CMPs can also help with other types of gardens such as sensory gardens, fruit and vegetable gardens and water efficient gardens. Contact your local Countryside Management Partnership for more information.

Case Study – Brook Primary School

children in school grounds Brook Primary School contacted the Kentish Stour Countryside Management Partnership (KSCP) about what it could do in its school grounds. The school were also enthusiastic about improving their Eco School Status. The KSCP gave a presentation at a school assembly about the wildlife and landscapes in the school’s surroundings. The school and KSCP then worked with the children to create a nature area plan. This included a native wildflower meadow, rough grassland, scrub, woodland, a pond and a bird feeding station. The area also developed a Kentish rag stone path, animal wood sculptures and seats, and a living willow dome. Mid week volunteers from KSCP helped with some of the work to create the nature area. The school were successful with an application to Awards For All which enabled contractors to do some of the more complex work. The school and the grants helped fund KSCPs time whilst the KSCP provided some money for the project through its own funding sources. Through the whole process children were involved, from planning the nature area, to creation and its eventual use as a study tool!