We have been very lucky to have receiving funding from the Herritage Lottery Fund to develop a Pond Dipping and Bog Garden area on our school grounds.
A quiet, sunny spot away from trees, traffic and footpaths, is ideal for attracting wildlife, has been developed into a safe area that can be used to observe and investigate changes to wildlife and the environment through the seasons by members of the community and children from our school.
The project aims to develop the community’s knowledge and understanding of the environment and how our actions can have an effect on the local area. We hope that the work carried out in the Pond Dipping and Bog Garden will influence the community to contribute in creating a better planet.
Our staff have been trained in ‘Pond Dipping’, learning about the safety checks that need to be carried out and the learning opportunities available from accessing the area. Our staff are very enthusiastic about working in the new area and look forward to helping develop the area further and incorporate the area into the curriculum.
The area will be accessible throughout the year and will support and extend the work the children have carried out in the classroom; providing exciting new topics for discussion, support and stimulation for work in curriculum subjects such as maths and science, and opportunities for investigative work to be carried out.
We have introduced a ‘Pond Dipping Club’ on a Friday afternoon in which children are able to access the area to investigate their surroundings. The Gardening Club have enjoyed observing the new plant life in the area and are keen to ensure the area thrives. Members of our toddler group and the local Scouts have also been taking full advantage of the project.
We are all looking forward to seeing how the area develop!
Useful Websites
The Woodland Trust has some fantastic activities for outdoor activities and learning in the outdoors, including Pond Dipping. See the attached document for ideas for Pond Dipping.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea have released a Pond Pack all about Pond Dipping and how it can be incorporated into lessons in Primary School.
