Outdoor Learning at Aurora Hedgeway School

Term 1: Environmental awareness and conservation

Our outdoor learning curriculum in Term 1 focused on environmental awareness and conservation, aligning with our Eco-Schools initiatives and Hedgehog Friendly Campus efforts. Students took an active role in conducting tree abundance surveys and composing postcards to the Prime Minister addressing climate change concerns. We also explored composting techniques and soil health to prepare for ready-to-use compost come summer.

One of the standout activities was ‘Cut your Carbon,’ where students helped reduce carbon emissions by placing ‘no idling’ signs around the school car park, creating posters to remind others to turn off lights around the school and working out their own carbon footprints. In Forest School, we implemented natural pest control methods by recycling coffee grounds, using peppermint spray and companion planting - all linked to historical agricultural practices.

Another highlight was the regular litter picks, which have become a regular part of our environmental stewardship activities. This is beneficial for both the wildlife and our school community, and our new motto, “wash it, then squash it,” is something the students are embracing wholeheartedly.

Term 2: Wildlife conservation and an enterprising project

Term 2 saw a shift towards wildlife conservation and sustainable crafting. The students created a wonderful pumpkin patch and a beautiful scene for class photos, all while welcoming our new Forest School hamster, Dumpling (named through a student vote!). Using pallet wood from our log store, students constructed homes for local wildlife, such as bug hotels, bat boxes, bird boxes, and hedgehog hotels and feeding stations. The students took great pride in their work, using tools, measuring, and following planning sheets to ensure the homes were well built.

A particularly enterprising project in Term 2 involved making recycled paper and cards from shredded office waste. Students also crafted decorated logs and log reindeer from ethically sourced materials found around Forest School. These items were sold at our winter fayre, giving students the opportunity to develop practical skills like wood cutting, as well as life skills such as pricing products and handling money - while taking away 10% of their profits to cover stall costs.

Term 3: Supporting pollinators and horticulture

In Term 3, our focus turned to supporting pollinators and horticulture. Students enthusiastically created seed bombs, which were dispersed in designated no-mow areas around the school grounds. During our Big Bird Watch, we saw the positive impact of these seed bombs, as birds like chaffinches, goldfinches, blue tits, robins and thrushes fed on them.

We also made planting plans for the school grounds, determining the best spots to grow their chosen fruits and vegetables. The students took part in seed planting activities and propagating seeds in our polytunnel in preparation for the summer crops. Additionally, students learned essential outdoor skills like fire-making, enjoyed campfire songs and roasted marshmallows, fostering a deeper connection to nature. “One man went to mow, went to mow a meadow, one man and his supersonic sausage dog with rubber suckers on his feet, went to mow a meadow” became a favourite campfire song.

To wrap up the term, students took part in pond dipping and discovered an array of fascinating creatures. I can’t wait to show them how these little creatures will change by summer!

Gardening Club

Gardening Club has also become a popular lunchtime activity. Students have been crafting, potting seeds, making candles, puzzling and taking part in various outdoor activities such as whittling, knot tying, feeding wildlife, creating natural art and building dens. It’s been brilliant to watch students grow more confident in the outdoors and enjoy being immersed in nature.

One of the fun projects was ‘Find the Hedgeway Student,’ where children wore camouflage suits and hid around the school and surrounding areas. It was a lot of fun and the students were brilliant at hiding!

Eco-School initiatives

Eco-Schools is a fantastic programme designed to engage young people in protecting their environment. It begins in the classroom, expands to the school and eventually fosters change in the broader community. The programme uses a seven-step framework:

• Forming an Eco-Committee
• Conducting an environmental review
• Creating an action plan
• Monitoring and evaluating progress
• Integrating activities into the curriculum
• Informing and involving the community
• Developing an Eco-Code.

This approach allows students to have their say in our school’s environmental management policies, and our efforts have already been rewarded with a Green Flag award last year.

Since September 2024, our students have been involved in a wide range of eco-friendly activities. These include beach clean-ups with the Marine Conservation Society and continued litter-picking efforts both on school grounds and in the community. These activities not only clean up the environment but also raise awareness of the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems.

In the biodiversity topic, students conducted surveys at various locations, including Magor Marsh and local farm fields, to observe and compare different ecosystems. They also contributed to the creation of new habitats for local wildlife, such as bug hotels and hedgehog homes, which have already shown evidence of use! We’ve also ordered hedgerows from the Woodland Trust to add more tree species to our Forest School site and are working toward our Green Tree Award.

Looking ahead

I’m incredibly excited about the rest of the academic year and can’t wait to share more of our outdoor learning experiences with the community. It’s been wonderful to see the students engage with the world around them and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of conservation and sustainability.

Cheryll Hall
Outdoor Learning Coordinator at Aurora Hedgeway School