Increasing Biodiversity

What are we already doing?

Big Schools' Birdwatch:  Our Year 1 class took part in the RSPB's 'Big Schools' Birdwatch' which encourages children to count the number of birds on schools site over an hour and record their findings. The findings contribute to the Big Garden Birdwatch – the world’s largest wildlife survey. Each child in Year 1 has won their 'Ruby Robin Award' from this birdwatch which is a fantastic achievement. See the fanastic photos below.

What else can we do?

Rewild the grassy area in the carpark: By doing this we can encourage more biodiversity. Rewilding allows previously diminished species to thrive again and creates more diverse habitats.

Vegetable garden:  We hope after the summer that we can plan, implement and maintain our own vegetable garden. By doing this we will encourage beneficial insects like pollinators and support a healthy ecosystem by having a more diverse plant life.  We will also be able to try our home grown vegetables!

Pond area: We would like to add a small pond area near the caretakers shed as well as rewilding the area around it. This will encourage pond-life to thrive.

Man-made habitats: We will put up more bird boxes as well as bee feeders around school, particularly near grassy/wild areas.

Animal watches: As well as the annual bird watch that we already complete, there are also bee and butterfly watches which we'd like to take part in.

iPad apps: We want to install apps on our iPads which help to identify plants and wildlife, this will help the children to become more curious and knowledgeable about nature. 

Our updates. 

The children have started to develop our Ecodiversity by planting potatoes. The children "chitted" the potatoes and learnt why it is important to do this prior to planting, then they worked with Mrs Barden to plant the chitted potatoes into a sack ready for them to develop and grow. Once the potatoes have grown and have been harvested the children have chosen to make them into crisp and chips using the air fryer! 

In year 1 the children have been exploring the life cycle of a ladybird. The children have watched how the larvae have developed into ladybirds over several weeks and when the ladybirds were big enough and strong enough we can release them into our new ladybird house. The ladybirds are essential as part of our ecodiversity in school. 

What can you do at home?

• Plant native species in your garden, these support the local ecosystem
• Create a water source which is vital for wildlife to thrive 
• Encourage pollinators by planting a variety of plants
• Install birdhouses, bat houses and insect hotels