To celebrate 75 years of National Parks, the South Downs National Park Trust, with match funding from the South Downs National Park Authority, supported more than 50 schools to begin nature projects within their grounds.
One of these schools, Parklands Community Primary School in Chichester, used a ReNature mini grant to enhance its Woodland Wildlife Area, including the restoration and extension of their pond. The work has created more opportunities for outdoor learning and for pupils to develop their understanding of and connection with nature.
What the grant supported
- practical resources that can be used repeatedly by pupils across the school
- pond-dipping and bug-hunting equipment, magnifying glasses and binoculars
- bird feeders, bird-house kits and bee hotels
- planting, composting and a large bug hotel to create and improve habitat
Image showing a pond dipping equipment at Parklands – credit Victoria Crespi/ SDNPA
Creating space for wildlife and learning
Together, the habitat improvements and learning resources give pupils more ways to explore wildlife first-hand. Planting and new features provide food and shelter for birds, pollinators and other insects, while the restored pond now offers a focal point for practical outdoor learning and repeated nature discovery throughout the school year.
Discovering life in the pond
Pond dipping has given pupils the chance to work together, use identification resources and discover the animals living in the pond for themselves – turning the wildlife area into a practical outdoor learning resource.
In their words
Year 6 School Council Member:
“I really enjoyed pond dipping at school in our new pond area. It was exciting to see what we could find in the water. We found lots of little creatures. I liked using the nets and working with others. I think our new pond area is brilliant and I hope we get to do more pond dipping!”
Year 4 School Council Member:
“I liked pond dipping in our new school pond because we got to see lots of tiny animals. I found a water snail! It was fun to use the nets and see what we had caught. I think our new pond is really cool!”
Learning that lasts beyond the lesson
By combining habitat improvements with equipment that can be used repeatedly, Parklands has created more opportunities for children to learn outdoors, observe seasonal change and take an active interest in the wildlife around them. Experiences like these can help build knowledge, curiosity and a lasting appreciation of the natural world.
Image shows a pond dipping activity at Parklands school – credit Victoria Crespi/SDNPA
Learning that lasts beyond the lesson
By combining habitat improvements with equipment that can be used repeatedly, Parklands has created more opportunities for children to learn outdoors, observe seasonal change and take an active interest in the wildlife around them. Experiences like these can help build knowledge, curiosity and a lasting appreciation of the natural world.
