Green-fingered children at a Derby city centre primary school have reached national television after collaborating with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to transform a patch of land once used as a dumping ground.
Eco-Councillors in the Spotlight
Eco-councillors at Arboretum Primary School in Normanton, part of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust, were featured on Channel 5's popular Love Nature series. The show filmed them working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to litter-pick and spruce up the land on Society Place. Previously affected by fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, the area has been transformed into a vibrant green space complete with a bug hotel and attractive planting.
Children's Enthusiasm Shines
The Love Nature series captured children at the school talking enthusiastically about their efforts in a project run by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby City Council to revitalize the urban space. School deputy head teacher Lisa Kay said the children were thrilled to see themselves on national TV.
"We watched it together at school," she said. "They loved it! Some of them got such a kick out of it."
Hands-On Learning
Eco-councillors at the school have been going out on regular trips to work with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust on the land, choosing herbs they want to plant and getting their hands dirty digging the soil. Lisa added: "It's great for the children at Arboretum Primary School to engage with a project like this. They are always thinking up new ideas for what they want to do on the land."
Community Impact
Adam Dosunmu Slater from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said: "The best thing about this project is that the kids walk through here going to school and they can see what they are achieving. I think people really see the value of urban nature, and as soon as the children have done some work, people see that someone is taking care of the space."
Dr Sarah Clark, CEO of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust, said: "We are always keen for children at our schools to benefit from a wide range of activities both in and out of the classroom, and it was great that their efforts working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust made it all the way to national TV! Learning to care for our environment is an important part of education and one we are proud to support with this initiative."
