The Bevois area of Southampton faces environmental challenges, including a lack of green spaces and issues with litter. However, two local schools are working to change this by bringing more nature into their grounds and educating students about wildlife.

Getting started

Bevois Town Primary School and Mount Pleasant Junior School received funding from the Wilder Southampton project to become 'Wilder Schools'. The city council helped select these schools for the project.

Each school appointed a teacher to lead the initiative and chose student groups to participate. Mount Pleasant worked with an existing group of nature-enthusiastic students, while Bevois Town involved their Year 2 students, aligning with their curriculum on habitats.

What have the schools achieved so far?

Bevois Town Primary School

The school has created a pollinator-friendly garden visible from outside the school fence. They've also developed an area with logs and rocks to provide habitats for small animals.

An after-school club established a bog garden with a small pond, allowing students to observe and study various wildlife in these new environments.

Bevois Town shared their experiences at a Wilder School Conference, demonstrating how urban schools can make a difference for wildlife despite space limitations.

Mount Pleasant Junior School

Students began with a wildlife survey of their school grounds, discovering a variety of small animals including slugs, snails, and wolf spiders.

They then created a 'butterfly gallery' by planting herbs like thyme and lavender in decorated pots, attracting pollinators to the school grounds.

Getting the wider community involved

Both schools are extending their efforts beyond the school gates. Bevois Town plans to involve families in maintaining the school garden and potentially adopt a nearby street planter.

Mount Pleasant hosted a school fair with nature-themed activities for families. A former student, now working at a local business, joined in and expressed interest in future involvement.

One student, Ammar, showed particular enthusiasm and knowledge about wildlife, catching the attention of the Wilder Southampton team.

Plans for the future

Bevois Town Primary School aims to continue getting families involved in their gardening projects and plans to provide additional nature-focused training for staff. They're also exploring the idea of creating a sensory garden that benefits both wildlife and people. 

Mount Pleasant Junior School will continue enhancing their grounds with pollinator-friendly planting. They too plan to provide more nature-based training for staff and hope to maintain the enthusiasm for wildlife among students and families.

By making small but significant changes, these two schools are creating valuable wildlife habitats and inspiring a new generation of nature enthusiasts.