Wilder School - Stonham Aspal Primary

We started off 2023 with a PD training afternoon focusing on taking learning outdoors. At the beginning of the session, in small groups we discussed how the teachers currently use their school grounds, how they would like to use it going forwards and what barriers there might be preventing this. When we came together to discuss it as a whole group, it was great to hear some brilliant suggestions about how they could spend more time in their school grounds with the students. 

Following this, we spent some time in their wildlife area, really getting to know the space and the amazing features it has to offer. With an already installed reading circle at the base of a tree, two ponds and a decking area, there was already lots to love about the space. We used ID charts to identify the trees (which is very tricky when they've lost their leaves!), built 3D maps of the space from natural materials, took bark rubbings, learnt a little about using compasses to take bearings, and even got up close and personal with some of the trees in the area with a game of 'hug a tree'! 

It may be unlucky for some, but we had a fab Friday 13th with the students at Stonham Aspal Primary! We started off the morning with a whole school assembly, where I quizzed the children on their wildlife knowledge and identified some of the hazards our local wildlife are encountering.

Following this, I had a lovely morning with Year 3, where I was shown some of the brilliant wildlife garden models the children had made as part of their homework, One of the children has even put together a list of ideas covering two sheets of A4! We then headed out onto the school grounds to draw maps of the current school ground status, including labelling the different features of the area, and along the way, we built some impromptu minibeast hotels from fallen sticks and leaves on the playground. 

After lunch, I was back out on the school grounds with Year 6. They also drew in-depth maps of the site, plus did a little pond dipping in one of the two ponds in the wildlife area to discover what creatures can currently be found there. We finished off the afternoon with a few rounds of 'hug a tree', which not only helped the students to get to know the trees in their school grounds, but worked as a fun team-building exercise too!

We spent a lovely spring morning at the school for another CPD session with the teachers; this time focusing on improving the teachers' species ID and increasing their confidence with using the outdoor space. 

We kicked off the morning with a game of 'deer ears'; a game that involves both listening and quiet considered movement. Whilst fun, its also helps participants think about what might impact a predator or prey animal's success in the wild when moving through their habitat.

Following this, we investigated the difference between the number of invertebrates found on the school field and in their nature garden and used ID guides to make a note of what was found, before replicating this process with the natural pond and man-made pond on site. We then spent a little time identifying common British bird species and listening to their calls, before building a birds nest using natural materials. 

We finished off the morning with toasting marshmallows over a campfire in the sunshine; a perfect end to the session! 

We made a flying visit to the school to discuss nature connection with the Year 3 children and discover how they felt about wildlife and nature. 

We chatted about how being outside in nature feels, how important they believe nature is and how they fit in to nature. Using an 'emoji scale', we recorded their thoughts and feelings; it was fascinating to hear their opinions! We then spent a little time in groups coming up with ideas of how we can help nature in the school grounds and deciding which of the ideas from their long list we were going to put into action first. Spoiler alert: the local birds are going to be in for a real treat next month!

We were back with the Year 3 children this afternoon, to make a start on clearing the overgrown nettles and thistles that had taken over the Jubilee Garden area. The plants had obviously really enjoyed the rain and sunshine over the past month!!

Along the way, we discovered quite a few invertebrates, including lots of worms and snails, which the children were really excited to find. The whole class worked really hard to tackle the area and created a mountain of debris from the areas they'd cleared - well done!!

We finished off the afternoon with a game of 'animal actions', which was not only fun, but got the children thinking about the native wildlife that might benefit from the work we're undertaking in their Jubilee Garden. 

Today marked our final session of the summer term with Class 3 and we had a jam-packed day of discovery and creativity, whilst making their school grounds a better place for nature. 

We worked together as a team to build not one, but two, minibeast hotels (plus multiple smaller invertebrate stacks), surveyed the area for wildlife and brushed up on our ID skills in the process, and undertook a litter pick, leaving the site wildlife-friendly. 

Well done everyone, you worked SO hard!