Earlier this year, Trewidland Primary & Pre-School was awarded £5,000 through the National Education Nature Park programme, linked to the Royal Horticultural Society and the Department for Education. The funding is designed to help schools increase biodiversity across their grounds — and we put it to work straight away.

A detailed application was submitted in February, including site plans and costings to develop three areas of the school site: the field, the playground and the pond area. Funding was confirmed on 4 March, with a deadline of 30 April to complete the work — giving us just eight weeks to deliver the project.

Children at the Heart of It

Pupils were closely involved throughout — helping with planting, learning about the purpose behind each improvement, and developing a real sense of ownership over the spaces they helped create. From strawberries to wildlife-friendly planting schemes, the children have helped shape areas they will continue to care for and enjoy for years to come.

The planting scheme was researched in depth by our school secretary, Anne Sherrington, who carefully selected species well suited to each area and its ecological aims. The result is a living, growing learning environment that extends well beyond the classroom walls.

A Community Effort

This project has shown what can happen when a school and its community work together. Alongside the national funding, local residents kindly contributed support and donations to help bring the biodiversity plans to life. Photographs show newly planted areas around the grounds, as well as children planting strawberry plants alongside staff and school governor Martin Cluer.

Small schools thrive on strong community connections — and this project is a great example of that spirit in action.

Outdoor Learning Every Day

Surrounded by Cornish countryside, outdoor learning has always been part of everyday life at Trewidland. These new biodiversity areas enhance that further, giving children fresh spaces to observe, explore and understand the natural world first-hand. From the field to the pond area, learning now extends across the whole school site.

The biodiversity areas will continue to develop as the seasons change — a small project with a lasting impact, growing and evolving over time.

You can also read more about this project in the Cornish Times (10 June edition).

Thinking About Trewidland for Your Child?

Trewidland Primary & Pre-School welcomes enquiries for Pre-School (from age 3) and has places available across all year groups up to Year 6. We also offer a Breakfast Club to support working families.

From September, the school will be operating a minibus service from Liskeard, with morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off for families who need transport. Distance needn't be a barrier — we'd love to tell you more.

📞  01503 240275

✉  admin@trewidland.cornwall.sch.uk

🌐  www.trewidland.net

Visits are warmly welcome — please get in touch to arrange.