ECO FEATURE

SURREY WILDLIFE TRUST PARTNERSHIP

“Mighty oaks from little acorns grow”

In September we made contact with Surrey Wildlife Trust with the sole purpose of arranging for an ecologist to give a careers talk in assembly. Following a fantastic conversation with Mrs Foster, Education and Engagement Officer at SWT, we then joined it’s School Pilot Scheme which meant Mrs Foster coming to work with us every fortnight. Mrs Foster started her work with us by giving a Rivers Assembly to the Preps during Rivers Week and the KS2 Science Curriculum. Liaising with Mrs Darlington and Mrs Harman, who oversee the Prep and Senior School Councils, fortnightly activities were organised. These focused on improving the ecology of the beautiful grounds, students’ well-being and the students’ understanding of the environment around them. Working closely with Mr Hipple our gardener, Mrs Foster helped us plan ideas for the site and apply and subsequently acquire £500 funding from the Wilder Schools’ Grant to bring the plan to fruition. Soon work that supported the KS2 Science Curriculum such as soil sampling, food chains and Charles Darwin evolved into making bird feeders in Prep Ecology Club with Miss Savage and Senior classes, constructing bird boxes in Year 5, clearing the pond in The Dell with Year 6, building a pond in the Summer Garden with Year 9 and Year 4, planting a wildflower meadow with Year 3 and taking part in the Big Schools’ Birdwatch with Year 8 and 9. Mrs Foster was keen to show students the great links between ecology, appreciating our environment and well-being. She organised well-being activities for Year 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. For many, this activity was a well-being walk with time to sit in silence and sketch things around them. Several students found this so enriching and we hope many more students will take the opportunity to do more of these well-being activities at home.

Over the Easter holidays all students were invited to design a “Blue Heart” sign. These signs can be seen in many areas of the countryside where bee-friendly wildflower areas exist. The best paper designs will then be made into painted wooden signs and placed in the wildflower areas near the Science Department and Pickup Point in the grounds. During the Summer Term, Mrs Foster continued to work with a cross section of year groups every fortnight with the first being Year 7 and 8 Biology classes. Thirty senior students went on a trip to Nower Wood which focused on ecology careers and well-being. A wonderful opportunity for those with a real passion for this area. The Pilot Scheme offered our students so much this year and our hope is that Mrs Foster leaves us with a legacy that will continue for many years to ensure our school environment supports wildlife and in turn brings a sense of well-being and enjoyment for all students and visitors. Thank you to Surrey Wildlife Trust for a wonderful enriching experience and particularly to Mrs Foster for her time, energy and expertise.

MRS HARMAN