Environmental Impact

Making Our School More Green 

We have been increasing the amount of greenery in our school environment. Please take a look at some of the photographs of green screens that have been installed in the Early Years playgrounds:

In the academic year 2023/2024 our Year 1 teacher Mrs Wooler ran a very popular Gardening Club for Years 2 and 3. In Term 5 they focused on growing vegetables for our school ducks to eat. The ducks love tomatoes and cucumber and so these were some of the plants they decided to grow. First we explored the seeds and saw the difference between each one then we planted them in small plant pots and left them to germinate on a warm windowsill for a couple of weeks. When the plants had started to grow they planted them outside and made sure to check on them daily and water them if needed.

 In Term 6 they focused on flowers and more decorative plants. The children each planted their own chamomile plant to take home and look after and also chose Marigolds to plant around the school. Everyone had a great time planting and looking after the school's vegetable patch.

 In Term 1 this academic Year 1 are studying ‘Plants’ in Science. They were able to use the mature tomato and cucumber plants in their lessons to show the children the key parts of a plant including the roots and by cutting the fruit we were able to show them the seeds.

Our School Ducks

Our Ducks: Teaching Sustainable Practices and Responsibility

At our school, we are fortunate to have three resident ducks who play a crucial role in teaching students about food production, sustainability, and responsibility. These ducks aren't just adorable—they help make our learning experience both hands-on and impactful.

Supporting Healthy Eating Habits

One of the wonderful ways our ducks contribute to our community is by providing fresh duck eggs. Students and staff use these eggs at home, creating and sharing healthy recipes with one another through photos and short videos. It's a fun, engaging way for everyone to get involved in cooking, while learning about where our food comes from.

Sustainable Farming Practices

We also practice sustainable gardening techniques with the help of our ducks. Our school follows the deep litter method of cleaning, where we add used bedding into the ground of the ducks' enclosure. Over time, this bedding rots down into rich, organic fertilizer that we use to nourish the plants in our school's garden. The garden is a special place where students in after-school gardening clubs grow a variety of foods, including tomatoes—one of our ducks' favorite treats!

Natural Pest Control

Our ducks are also part of our natural pest control system. After school hours, they roam freely around the school grounds, happily eating slugs and snails. By keeping these pests in check, the ducks help us maintain an organic garden, free from the need for chemical insecticides. It’s a great example of how nature can support sustainable food production.

Learning Responsibility and Empathy

Perhaps most importantly, our ducks help students develop essential life skills. Caring for the ducks teaches children responsibility and empathy as they learn to look after animals. Additionally, spending time outdoors with our ducks has a positive effect on students' well-being, helping them connect with nature and feel the joy of interacting with animals.

We’re proud of the role our ducks play in fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability, healthy living, and emotional growth for our students.

Cycling to School

Many of our parents and children cycle or scoot to school. It is a great way to start the morning positively while also benefiting the environment.

1. Health and Fitness- cycling to school boost your cardiovascular health and helps to strengthen your heart and lungs!

2. Mental wellbeing- studies have shown that exercise like cycling can help improve concentration and cognitive function, setting your child up for a productive school day.

3. Save time and money- avoid the London traffic jams and finding a parking spot. 

4. Teach independence- learning to cycle gives children a sense of independence and freedom.

Bikeability and Scootability