A big thank you to all those involved with Swindon Community Services for helping to develop ‘The Commonweal School Nature Reserve.'

For many years, The Commonweal School has set aside a relatively large section of its school grounds (one eighth) to allow wildlife to colonise and flourish. It has been fenced off and only limited, supervised access allowed for the students. This was to minimise any disturbance that might be incurred to foxes, badgers, squirrels and other fauna living there.

However, as time has passed, extensive tree and scrub growth has significantly reduced the amount of light reaching ground level. Grass and flowers have died back. Furthermore vandals and other trespassers have also created a lot of damage and introduced a great deal of litter.

Individuals working as part of Swindon Community Services facilitated by the Probation Service have recently undertaken a massive redevelopment project in the nature reserve. The results have been most impressive!

Almost all the litter and rubble from an old toilet block have been removed. A significant amount of coppicing and scrub removal has taken place. This will now allow the school to seed much of the reserve in the spring with grass and wild flowers to create a meadow. A pond has been created with associated patio. Indigenous wildlife, such as the rare Great Crested Newt, is soon expected to colonise it. Bird boxes have been constructed and placed into many trees. All different types of bird life are now being attracted to the site. The headteacher, Keith Defter, has been so impressed, that funds have been set aside to repair fencing around the site.

Lessons can then take place in the nature reserve in many different subjects. Science, Geography and Religious Education can explore aspects of practical ecology and moral issues of human impact. Drama can stage outdoor theatrical productions. The Art Department have expressed
an interest in putting certain
exhibits there.

Commonweal would like to thank those involved so much for all your efforts; we really do appreciate what you have done. The results speak for themselves. It has been fantastic!

Much appreciation,

Mike Walker, Science teacher
Thursday 14 February 2008