The children of Reeth Community and Gunnerside Methodist Confederated Primary Schools in Swaledale have created their very own open-air learning environment at Gunnerside to study in – with a little help from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

Key Stage 1 teacher Helen Strong came up with the idea of a wildlife garden to give the pupils a chance to learn more about nature and conserving and protecting our natural habitats and she contacted James Lamb, the YDNPA Swaledale Area Ranger, for advice.

Mrs. Strong, Mr. Lamb and some of the YDNPA’s Dales Volunteers have spent the last few months working with the children to turn an area of the school’s existing playing field into a wildlife garden.

“We drew up a draft plan with ideas from the children and the work has included planting a double mixed native hedge, building two drystone seating areas to provide an area for outside classes and planting broadleaved trees to provide shelter and shade,” James said.

The aim of the project has been to enhance the children’s opportunities and experience by creating a learning environment outside the confines of the classroom.

Helen Strong - Reeth Community and Gunnerside Methodist Confederated Primary Schools

“School grounds maintenance staff have left uncut an area of the playing field to develop as a wild flower meadow and, depending on how well this does and what species appear, we may go back next spring to carry out some supplementary planting or seeding using local seed.

“I also spent half a day with the Key Stage 1 class building bird boxes, some of which are to be put up at the school.”

Mrs Strong said: “The aim of the project has been to enhance the children’s opportunities and experience by creating a learning environment outside the confines of the classroom.

“The garden is developing into a fantastic cross-curricula resource – the children have thoroughly enjoyed planting and building and have taken great pride in it.’’

“I can’t thank the National Park Authority staff enough – it’s been a fantastic project and it’s still continuing.”