Project Title

SCHOOL GROUNDS DEVELOPMENT

Code

L12

Project summary

Improvement of school grounds for wildlife areas, with recreation and education a key element, have a long pedigree and have proved to be popular and successful. Teachers and children should be in all steps, from design and construction to the continued maintenance and development of the site. Local community may be encouraged to take part in developing and using school grounds at specified times.

Project management

Classes or lunch time and after school clubs cold be integrated into schemes, with a development worker helping with ideas, design and construction. Groups should be encouraged to apply for grant aid to provide materials. Maintenance, further development and funding responsibilities would then become the responsibility of the school, groups, or possibly a committee of children, staff and parents.

Project locations

Large and small sites.
Stocksbridge Secondary and Primary School (Shay House); some tree planting was undertaken in 1995 with help of SSVUDP.
Stocksbridge Junior School (East Whitwell).
St. John's Junior and Infant School, Deepcar (a small area was planted up with shrubs in 1998).
St. Anne's Catholic School, Stocksbridge.
Stocksbridge Infants School, Pot House Lane (some work has been done on part of the school grounds).

Planning permission

NO

Project links

Community tools (C1)
Community composting (C5)
Pond restoration/building (L11)
Butterfly gardens (L15)
Bog gardens

Economic Implications

Funding - set up costs

Lots of materials.

Funding - running costs

Education workers' time helping and advising the school.

Funding can be gained from Volvo, Transco, etc. for design and any construction costs. School children do most of work, including maintenance.

Employment

Educational/development worker to take forward the scheme.

Tourism

N/A

Social Implications

Community involvement

Parents could be involved in construction, with the community allowed access to school grounds at appropriate times.

Schools involvement

Hands on education experience. Learning about projects, funding, design, wildlife, etc.

Recreational benefits

Good fun and safe environment for children to play in. The local community may benefit at some sites.

Environmental Implications

Local Agenda 21

By incorporating wildlife enhancements and local food production, such schemes fit in well with the LA 21 process.

Wildlife

Grounds could be developed for the benefit of wildlife.

Project viability

Constraints

Schools and children's willingness to maintain interest.
Child safety.
Lack of space.
Failure to gain funding.