Eco Schools and the Nature Park: creating a thriving woodland for wildlife and outdoor learning at Highfield Primary School

Highfield massively improved their school environment through Keep Britain's Tidy's Eco Schools. When they found out they were eligible for a Nature Park grant, they joined the National Education Nature Park and have been using the programme alongside their current involvement in Eco Schools to enhance their school's woodland area. 

"Through Eco Schools, the eco team had already decided to work on biodiversity on school grounds as we're lucky to have half a hectare of ancient woodlands, so it made sense for us to enhance the area with the Nature Park. Previously we had worked towards and achieved platinum for the Green Tree Award with the Woodland Trust and as we had completed that, I had been looking for another project that involves the children completing activities." 

Emma Walker, Eco and Forest School Co-ordinator.

The school's two Year 6 classes led on the habitat mapping side of the project, to help identify what homes for wildlife Highfield already had on their site and where it could be improved. The children discussed what they'd want to spend the Nature Park grant on, and after the hot summer and realising that the animals in the woodland had no water, everyone agreed that the woodland needed a pond and areas where water was available. The children got to work mapping ideas of what they wanted to add to the school woodlands to make this a reality, including a natural pond that they could watch fill up. 

Highfield have added a large pond and platform with some fencing for safety and are currently working on a few mini ponds nearby. Rocks that were dug up when creating the pond have been added around the pond, and the children are planning to add lily pads and flowers to the area. 

"Our work has improved the woodland and helps thirsty animals – we hope this inspires other schools to do the same." 

Annabelle, Year 6 

Along with the pond, Highfield have added water butts, bug hotels, flowers and a vegetable plot. Near the pond, they've also planted wildflower seeds and plan to create a wildlife feeding area nearby. Everyone in the school is always discussing ideas of how to improve the school environment further!

"The woodland wasn’t really used when I first started working here, we got a few small grants and created paths, built steps and a gardening area. It is now timetabled for each class to use, and we've used it in a variety of ways: minibeasts and habitats in Science, sports-orienteering and gardening club." 

Emma Walker, Eco and Forest School Co-ordinator

All of their amazing work led to them being recognised by Keep Britain Tidy with an Eco-Schools Green Flag. To celebrate their success, Highfield sent their achievements to the local newspaper which was shared with parents and the school community, and the children were proud to receive a letter from the school's head governor and Hanif Alli, the Green Party Councillor in Bolton. The school held a woodland celebration day where they discussed and decided on the next steps to enhance the area around the pond.

"I love being on the eco team, it's so much fun. It encourages biodiversity and then children can experience being more hands-on with nature. Hopefully we'll have frogs and newts soon!" 

Verity, Eco Warrior

The children love taking ownership of looking after their environment, enjoying the whole experience of helping and always remaining enthusiastic. Looking ahead, Highfield are hoping that the area will attract more wildlife and will keep being used as an important learning resource. The hope is to plant more, ensure the area is maintained and add to the already flourishing nature. They're intending to keep enhancing different areas of their site, reduce their waste, keep their carbon footprint in check and keep their school litter-free school – all to carry on doing their bit to help the planet.   

"Highfield Primary School are brilliant example of a school that puts young people at the forefront of their climate action. Their approach to sustainability and greening their site is an inspiration - creative, positive and equitable. It's amazing to see how they've blended their work on both Eco-Schools and the National Education Nature Park to deepen their impact and build a legacy." 

Adam Flint, Education Manager, Keep Britain Tidy/National Manager, Eco-Schools England