Down in the wildlife garden

The project at Kilsyth Primary has been two years in the making and was made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of a variety of groups including the pupils themselves and the school’s Parent Council.

Kilsyth councillor Heather McVey officially launched the garden with headteacher Christine Anderson and teacher Michelle Kerr, who helps co-ordinate the garden.

The plan is to have a timetable in place for each class to incorporate their everyday learning outside.

Everything from Mathematics to English will be taught in the garden as part of the Curriculum for Excellence.

Palacerigg Countrty Park rangers Colin Smith and David McFarlane have given their expertise and assistance to the school to help them develop the garden.

The Kilsyth Primary pupils have incorporated some unusual ideas into the wildlife garden including butterfly boxes and a quirky bug hotel.

It is also hoped that the wildlife garden will help enhance the various topics that each of the primary classes are currently learning.

The infant classes have had a first hand experience of this as they have been learning more about tadpoles .

And thanks to the wildlife garden, they have been able to see the creature at its best - within its natural habitat.