CIRENCESTER SCHOOLS ARE SELECTED TO SAVE BRITAIN’S POLLINATING INSECTS

Four schools in Cirencester are buzzing with delight having recently discovered that they have been chosen to help to protect the dwindling population of Britain’s pollinating insects.

As four of the schools selected for the UK-wide ‘Polli:Nation’ programme, the pupils of Cirencester Deer Park, Powells C of E, Stratton and Chesterton schools will be transforming their outdoor spaces to become pollinator-friendly habitats, with the support of the national school grounds charity, Learning through Landscapes.

Having submitted a joint application as a school ‘cluster’ back in October 2015, the schools were named as three out of 260 across the UK, that have been chosen to participate in the unique programme. The schools’ joint application demonstrated their plans of action, the strength of their commitment to the project and the quality of collaboration, both with each other and the wider community. Their application was reviewed and selected as an exceptional submission, resulting in their involvement in the programme. Over a period of three years, each of the schools will now be supported by a Polli:Nation facilitator from Learning through Landscapes.

Linking to the National Pollinator Strategy, schools will now explore how they might: 

1. Grow more flowers, shrubs and trees
2. Let it grow wild
3. Cut grass less often
4. Don't disturb insect nests and hibernation spots
5. Think carefully about whether to use pesticides

Once the project is fully underway, the schools will also have the opportunity to contribute vital data in a UK-wide pollinator survey from OPAL Imperial College London. The children, teachers and members of the community will be equipped with all of the necessary tools and skills to help scientists to develop an accurate understanding of the current state of the habitats for Britain’s pollinating insects, and the potential to develop these further.

It is critical that we address the declining numbers of pollinating insects in Britain, and the support of schools and communities in Cirencester will certainly contribute to the overall success of the Polli:Nation programme. We look forward to seeing the final results of the school’s projects!

David Hodd, Project Manager of Learning through Landscapes

We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this project and honoured to be making a contribution to such important research. Not only does Polli:Nation offer the children a fantastic opportunity to develop their own environment to aid the declining population of pollinators, it also offers the perfect platform to consider our environment and pesticides on a global scale- whilst also involving members of the local community.

Chris Germaine, coordinator at Deer Park

The Polli:Nation project has been developed by Learning through Landscapes in association with sector partners The Field Studies Council, Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, OPAL Imperial College London, Stirling University, Bumblebee Conservation Trust and The Conservation Volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering to help the schools with their Polli:Nation project, please contact Chris Germaine at Cirencester Deer Park School on 01285 653447 or C.Germaine@deerparkschool.net.