The environment
Cassop's secret garden
Environmental Extra - Sustainablity Centre
A chance for first hand
learning about issues of sustainability and our environment
Background
Cassop is situated on the crest of the Magnesium Limestone
escarpment. The surrounding countryside contains some
of the last fragments of the unique flora of the grassland
associated with this rock.
Cassop Vale National Nature Rreserve, Littlewood Local
Nature Reserve and Crowtrees Nature Reserve are all within
walking distance and all can be used with children.
The school field itself provides a rich resource containing
almost every native tree (we have over 300 trees on site
- most of them reachable for small hands!) There is a
secure pond with dipping area, wild flower areas, a secret
garden with storyteller's chair, hidden sculptures and
more.
We attempt to integrate Education for Sustainable Development
into all our work. For example, through partnerships and
grants we have worked towards having a school which displays
and uses all forms of renewable energy- wind, solar, re-cycled
wood, biomass. We are also heated and powered by methods
which are entirely carbon neutral (i.e. the net effect
of our school upon the atmosphere is neutral - positive
if you include our trees!) This programme started as our
special enthusiasm, however, as it received national recognition,
we decided to share it.
What are we trying to achieve?
- To allow groups of all ages to become more knowledgeable
and enthusiastic
about environmental issues.
- To make the connections between the quality
of our environment and our
actions (i.e. to understand sustainability).
- To provide the opportunity to introduce global
issues in a responsible and
constructive way (i.e. with some potential solutions!)
- To give children a chance to work and learn
through first hand experiences.
- To provide opportunities for other groups to
make use of facilities we have been able to develop
- To provide ourselves with the potential to provide
more and to reach more
people.
What can be done here?
Renewable Energy/Sustainability
We power the school from a 50km wind turbine
- How else could electricity be made? (pros &
cons)
We also generate power from photo-voltaic cells.
We heat the school using re-cycled waste wood and/or
biomass (willow). See the whole process from planting
to boiler house.
Our hot water is produced by solar panels - the children
can see and touch them.
Children can…
- Make and test small turbines in our wind tunnel
- Make and test tiny PV (solar) cells
In partnership with Premier Waste, groups can visit the
landfill site (2 minutes away).
- What happens to our rubbish - can we reduce
it?
- Electricity from rubbish (methane fuelled)
- Re-cycling and issues of waste reduction
- See our school fuel being made from rubbish
- Children can use a glass recycling simulator
Environmental Investigations
- Much can be done on site and more within a
short walk/drive. All kinds of ecological investigations
trees*, wildflower grasslands*, ponds** etc..
- We will attempt to make all activities meaningful
and part of real investigations (e.g. monitoring
of introduced species to Littlewood Nature Reserve,
monitoring of flora and butterflies in Cassop
Vale Nature Reserve).
- A specially equipped classroom/laboratory is
available, together with field-work equipment
and outdoor clothing.
* on site
**nearby by arrangement
Who is it for?
- Groups of any age(maximum of 30)
- We have worked with Key Stage 1, 2 and 3 and
also with university and adult groups.
- One work 'package' has been particularly successful
with year 5 and 6 children.
- Great potential for Key Stage 3 students.
How will it work?
- There will be a limited number of slots per
term
- Book by phone - reserve a date
- Negotiate your session contents (see menu)
- Sessions will be organised and led by Cassop
staff, however, visiting staff will be encouraged
to join in ( a carousel of activities in smaller groups
is ideal if more staff are available from either
school)
- As visiting staff become familiar this could
vary - input welcome!
The project is non-profit making. However is is not currently
subsidised. We will, therefore, need to negotiate some
repayment to cover the teaching time.
Where are we?
Seven miles from the City of Durham, three miles from
the A1(M) on B6291 between Cassop and Quarrington Hill.
Leave Durham by A181 or leave A1(M) at junction 61 (Durham
Services).
Contact Us...
Jim McManners (Headteacher)
Cassop Primary School
Cassop, Durham DH64RA
Tel/Fax: 0191 377 0293
Email: environmental-extra@cassopschool.org.uk
or click here
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