Growing fruit and vegetables, surveying plant and animal communities, wild art and orienteering are now all on the outdoor learning agenda at North Walsall Primary Academy.
North Walsall Primary Academy
The Nature Friendly Schools project is proving to be a huge success at North Walsall Primary Academy in the West Midlands.
The school's principal is extremely supportive of the project and chose to timetable two members of staff, Angela and Onaiza, to deliver outdoor learning on a weekly basis. Both Angela and Onaiza are confident, well organised and willing to try new ideas. They have a real passion for outdoor learning and are committed to having a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils, making them the perfect candidates to lead the project within the school. Their dedication and ability to get things done have been key factors in the project’s success so far.
Pupils have been involved in the design and implementation of improvements to the school's outdoor space, surveying the area and coming up with their own ideas, including wildflower areas and habitat boxes. Children worked with staff from the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country to plant bulbs and native trees, creating a fantastic area for wildlife. But it was also important to create a great space for pupils too, so a natural seating circle and a fire pit were added to facilitate outdoor learning. Both have already proven to be very popular.
“I feel overwhelmed and delighted. It is so much more than I thought it would be.” ~ Onaiza
As soon as the outside improvements were completed, groups of children from years 3, 4 and 5 were able to spend time learning outside and enjoying the natural green space. One of their favourite sessions so far has involved lighting a fire and toasting marshmallows. Despite school staff being a little apprehensive at first, the session was a huge success with all pupils following the rules and having a great time.
Staff and pupils are enjoying spending more time teaching and learning in their new outdoor space and plans are already in place for it to continue and expand past the end of the Nature Friendly Schools project delivery. Growing fruit and vegetables, surveying plant and animal communities, wild art and orienteering are now all on the outdoor learning agenda at North Walsall Primary Academy.
North Walsall Primary Academy
Jake demonstrates how to build and light a fire in the new Nature Friendly Schools fire pit
North Walsall Primary Academy
Learning a new skill: using fire strikers to create a ‘fairy fire’
North Walsall Primary Academy
Enjoying a well-deserved marshmallow
