Year 2 Support Staff "Bramble Bash"

On the Inset day in October, as teachers were undergoing English Management training, support staff were involved with other jobs around the school. 
 
The Year 2 support staff carried out a bramble clearing task on the hedgerow along the Hartletts Park boundary. Although we do have a grounds maitenance contractor who could have cleared this, we were undertaking the first stage of a habitat management plan to create a scalloped edge with woodland flowers for the benefit of children and wildlife. This is all part of the school's overall plan for "Our Greener School" and as part of our partnership with the Hampshire and IoW Wildlife Trust as a "Wilder School"
 
Today we cut out two areas of bramble and small scrub and piled the cuttings between the tree line and boundary fence. This was to make sure wildlife didn't lose any cover by our clearance and provide a dense route for animals such as hedgehogs, to move around the school safely. This all forms part of our "Hog Highways" project.
 
Stage two will be to prepare the ground and remove any bramble roots that survive and plant some of the area with grass for children to use and also plant a mix of hardy woodland edge wildflower species, which will benefit pollinators and help with overall biodiversity. This all ties in with the Government's "National Education Nature Park" as part of the Department of Educations's Policy Paper: Sustainability and Climate Change: A Strategy for the Education and Children’s Services Systems.
 
Adding more wildflowers and opportunities for a variety of pollinators helps to bring children closer to nature and is part of our "Hook B-Lines" project. As well as benefitting wildlife, this has a huge impact on the wellbeing of staff and pupils as well. Outdoor learning is a big focus for us, part of which aims to reduce the disconnection from nature with modern living.
 
The Year 2 staff had tons of fun cutting back bramble in the drizzling rain, and we hope to further extend this type of interaction with our environment across the school. We have added some photos of the task below, but please do let us know if you find Mr West... he was last seen waist deep in bramble.