Green-fingered children at a Derby city centre primary school have reached national TV after working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to transform a patch of land once used as a dumping ground.
Eco-councillors at Arboretum Primary School in Normanton, part of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust, were featured on Channel 5’s popular Love Nature series which 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.
The Love Nature series featured children at the school talking enthusiastically about their efforts in a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby City Council project to transform the urban space.
School deputy head teacher Lisa Kay said children had been very happy 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.”
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 said: “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.”
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 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.”
This story was written and shared on behalf of Derby Diocesan Academy Trust by Lucy Stephens. Can we share your news and get you in the headlines too? Find out how we can help by getting in touch.
