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Outreach Report: Wheldrake Ward

During the period of July to November 2019 we delivered a total of 9 educational workshops across three primary schools in the Wheldrake Ward: Wheldrake with Thorganby CE School, Naburn Church of England Primary School, and Elvington Church of England Primary School. All of our wildlife sessions linked to the National Curriculum for Science. Workshops included audience participation, demonstrations, activities, games, and quizzes, both in a classroom environment and outside on the school grounds or local green spaces. Workshops were primarily delivered by our consulting ecologist and wildlife educator Phil Taylor BSc Hons, Msc.  

Wheldrake with Thorganby CE School

The Year 5 pupils in Wheldrake with Thorganby School participated in two of our school-based workshops: The Importance of Biodiversity, followed by Life Cycles and Classification.

Taking advantage of their location, the school opted to have their third session as a field trip to Bank Island, the Natural England headquarters for the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve. Ideally situated within walking distance of the school, pupils ventured to the reserve and took part in a variety of hands-on activities including pond dipping, moth identification, minibeast safaris and birdwatching. Phil Taylor also approached his contacts within Natural England, and Senior Reserve Manager Craig Ralston very kindly put on a bird ringing demonstration and gave a talk of how such activities contribute towards our understanding of bird migration patterns. Craig also gave us a behind the scenes look at the ‘sand martin hotel,’ where pupils came face-to-face with sand martin chicks!

“Thanks Phil! It has been great working with you.”