Make it Coastal Biodiversity

Some schools in Norfolk are not lucky enough to undertake residential visits so we looked to widen opportunities for these schools. In partnership with the Norfolk Coast Partnership's Sustainable Development Fund we have embarked on a project which will work closely with two schools to explore coastal habitats, work with the young people to create coastal biodiversity themed mosaic tiles and use these as part of the development of an outdoor classroom. In more detail the project will:

- provide 2.5 day residential visits for up to30 children from 2 schools (urban - St Michael's and rural - Emneth). This will focus on coastal habitats/landscapes, coastal geography and coastal biodiversity.

- arrange follow-up visits to these two schools by artists, and ecologists, Deborah Carpenter and Nicola Gibson who will work with the children on two half day workshops. The first of these workshops will involve working with the children to identify coastal species and plan initial artwork around these species.  The second workshop will see the children working in groups of three alongside the artists to create paper versions of their chosen mosaic design. 

- result in the schools holding a community event to share a) outputs from the children’s residential visit to the coast and b) showcase the children’s artwork.  This wider school community will then chose which 5 designs will be chosen to be turned into a real mosaic (to become part of the outdoor classroom at WFSC).

- provide a day at Wells Field Studies Centre for the innng children from both schools to come together for a return visit to work with the artists to make the mosaic tiles

- create 3 grounds developments at Wells Field Studies Centre to enhance the outdoor classroom: 1) seating for 30 children with mosaic tables, 2) seating for staff near to butterfly and sensory raised beds and 3) raised beds in our kitchen courtyard garden to enable future visting young people to participate in growing