At Holy Trinity Church of England Junior School we were able to work directly with the Eco Council before the lockdown. These sessions enabled us to get input from pupils on what they would like to see in the final designs. Again, they had a preference for recycled plastic because they liked the idea of saving waste from landfill. Another priority for them was to include features to attract wildlife. The staff requested the planters reflect the school colours – black and red.
The planters have been positioned to allow access on all sides – so a full class of pupils can fit around the two planters. Galvanised metal arches will be added to direct the water from the downpipes to the planters. The landscape designs include one bee, butterfly and bird friendly planter and one mini-beast planter. A range of wildlife features will be added including nectar rich planting, a perching branch, birdfeeders, a bird bath, a bug hotel, log piles and beetle refuges – places where bugs can retreat to when the planter becomes saturated. Our aim with these designs, was to make these planters not just a visual enhancement to the front of the school but a useable educational feature that will be valued by pupils and teachers.