Biodiversity scheme for new school

We’re working with a South Wales primary school which wants to transform the way children learn about nature.

Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn-y-Forwyn school in Ferndale, Rhondda, is working on plans for a new £9m school by 2024. The new school would include modern and flexible learning environments and enhanced outdoor spaces.

We are designing an exciting planting strategy inspired by the RCT Action for Nature Plan, which champions local biodiversity and reinforces the existing landscape character of the valley.

The new school provides an opportunity to teach children about their local biodiversity by providing physical and visual access to the planting and habitat types, including the coal spoil habitat on the valley sides.

As part of our work, we would enhance the ecology of the site to encourage wildlife. We would add a number of bat boxes, swift bricks, sparrow terraces and tawny owl bird boxes to attract bird life.

Log and brash piles could be installed to encourage reptiles, we’d plant native hedgerows with mammal gaps in the fence lines and add new grassland and meadow habitats with bug towers and insect hotels – perfect for moths, bumblebees and butterflies as well as birds.

In the wildlife garden there would be log piles amongst meadow and shrub planting and a new pond feature. Native trees and grass habitats would feature in a new green corridor.

We would also recreate the mosaic of habitat areas already present in the area such as wooded valley slopes, upland fringe or Ffridd and heathland, Rhos pasture and grasslands.

We’re proud that our work could create a fantastic setting for learning, exploring and play while also educating children about the importance of nature and biodiversity.