Page 21 - Day of Action

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School examples

Pontybrenin Primary School Ysgol San Sior Tredegarville Church in Wales Primary School

The Eco Committee at Pontybrenin Primary School When planning to develop their school grounds, the The pupils at Tredegarville Church in Wales Primary
in Swansea wanted the whole school to know more Eco-Committee at Ysgol San Sior in Conwy drew up School in Cardiff, identified the need to improve their
about the creatures that inhabit their school grounds. a list of items they needed. The list included trowels, school grounds for pollinators. They realised that the
They held a Wonderful Wildlife Day of Action with the gloves, seeds, plants and wellington boots! When concreted junior yard was a particularly unattractive
aim of encouraging everybody in school to develop planning their Day of Action, rather than bringing in site for wildlife and when surveyed the only creatures
more habitats. money (in return for being allowed a non-uniform found were slugs and snails.
event) the committee asked for an item from their list
The day started with a whole school assembly led instead. The item could be bought new, it could be an Through a Natural Buzz grant they bought plants to
by the Eco Committee, followed by investigative item no longer needed at home or a cutting of a plant. encourage pollinators to their school grounds. The
workshops exploring who and what was living on and Each item was then used during the Day of Action and most suitable plants were researched and identified
around the school yard. The search was focused on for ongoing development. by the Eco Committee and a Day of Action was held.
birds and minibeasts, using identification kits from Pupils invited the community to assist in the planting
the RSPB. Pupils also researched and had discussions and held a ‘give and gain day’ organised by the
around possible habitat improvements. Communities First team in the area.

A follow-up day was planned to share the findings of The gardens have been a great success. The Eco
the day’s investigations with the rest of the school. Warriors have re-surveyed the wildlife since planting
The Eco-Coordinator quoted “The day for change took place and recorded bees, butterflies and birds in
was a fantastic opportunity to engage all pupils with their school grounds.
sustainability issues in and around their learning
environment. We focused on how we could improve
our school grounds facility alongside improving
children’s skills"