Coastal schools get closer to nature

Pupils at coastal schools in West Norfolk have been getting up close and personal with nature recently.

Children at Snettisham Primary were introduced to lambs while those at Heacham Infant and Primary School have been watching beautiful butterflies emerge for the first time.

As part of a ‘growing and changing’ topic, the Heacham children have been watching caterpillars and how their stages of change result in a painted lady butterfly which they were then able to release back into the wild.

The Snettisham children had the chance to meet lambs when they were taken to the school by the village’s Park Farm.

“Seeing these creatures first-hand enables our pupils to gain valuable insights, enhancing progress and enriching their educational experience,” said Emma Hunt, executive deputy head teacher at both schools which are both part of the 11-strong West Norfolk Academies Trust.

As part of the topic by the early years and foundation studies pupils, they were asked questions about how much they have changed since their birth and how much animal babies also change.

“They were completely intrigued by the caterpillar to butterfly transformation and have enjoyed watching the whole process take place. The children at Snettisham loved the lambs when they visited, it was really nice to have them at our school,” said Mrs Hunt.

Most of the children at Snettisham Primary School have visited the Wild Ken Hill this term, with Oak Class of Year 1 and 2 visiting on Wednesday (23). They ‘hunted’ mini-beasts and classified them before building bug hotels to provide shelter for them. The pupils at Heacham school are due to visit the site during the autumn term.