2019 - 20

We've been working alongside North West Kent Countryside Partnership (NWKCP) to develop the school grounds as an extension to the classroom. By making various improvements to the site, the aims are to:

• improve the current features to be more productive for wildlife;

• encourage all staff to take advantage of teaching outdoors and stretch the curriculum to outdoor subject matter;

• promote the biodiversity levels of flora and fauna;

• facilitate independent exploration and discovery during break times for children in green, flora rich spaces.

Examples of improvements made include: planting more trees in the field; enlarging the pond; installing interpretation boards next to the pond; installing a nature trail on lecterns on far side of the field; development of area next to the pond as Forest School area with table, seating and storage; development of waste area near nursery including leveling of ground and installation of log seats.

Improvements still to come include: installation of bird boxes, some with cameras that can link to whiteboards in classrooms.

Jan - Feb 2022: Feathered Friends

In an effort to encourage more birds to make their homes in our grounds, we've installed eleven birdboxes around the school site. Four of these have cameras in that should be able to link up to whiteboards in classrooms if any nesting activity takes place - fingers crossed! In addition, Forest Explorers have played their part this term by making birdfeeders out of recycled materials to try to entice more avian visitors and also by taking part in the Big Schools Birdwatch. With spring around the corner, we have high hopes - we'll keep you posted!