Our Forest Committee have been hard at work during 2023-24. As part of their action plan the pupils have worked towards and received LEAF accreditation for our school.

Here is an overview of what our pupils did in order to receive the award, alongside our plans for our outdoor area next school year.

This year, we applied for the LEAF award through the Keep Scotland Beautiful initiative. Our theme was mainly focused on biodiversity but given our onsite resources and spaces, we also wanted to promote an understanding of horticulture, which would in turn underpin onsite biodiversity. Overall and despite some setbacks, we feel that we made moderate to good progress with all three aims and were successful in achieving the award:

Aim 1: Promote knowledge of horticulture and enterprise within school and local community.

We managed to sow and successfully grow several species of vegetables and flowering plants Our forest committee begun initial work and were able to pass knowledge to our P4/3 class who took ownership thereafter. Our polytunnel was due to be reskinned by an external organization. They were also asked to prepare some ground for tree planting. Unfortunately, neither of these happened so planting did not begin until later than was hoped. However, veg and flowers are now thriving, and we intend to harvest in August. This will allow for further learning opportunities, focused on community and enterprise.  

Aim 2: Promote and expand outdoor education.

We enhanced our existing cabin, turning it into a more viable outdoor learning space: benches, workstations, etc. were added and resources/equipment were kept in an adjoining container for easy access. We created a fire circle so as to allow children more connection with nature and during science week, several of our activities took place in the cabin and forested area.

Aim 3: Improve knowledge of forest-based ecosystems.

Our P1 class were tasked with refurbishing our bug hotel. We mostly reused what was available onsite: bricks, straw, moss, sticks, plant pots etc and within a short period of time we noticed larger numbers of creatures had ‘moved in’. A carpentry club was set up in which learners designed, measured, cut and assembled several birdhouses. This was an opportunity to introduce cross-curricular aspects such as measure and design. These houses will be placed throughout our outdoor spaces and sampling will begin in August.

Next school year, we hope to have our polytunnel reskinned, enhance and decorate all areas where plants can be grown and create a nature walk which will incorporate donated trees and flowering bushes. We will continue to focus on biodiversity, as well as horticulture and enterprise.