Dunhurst takes part in RSPB Big Schools’ Birdwatch
Pupils at Bedales Prep, Dunhurst took part in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Big Schools’ Birdwatch for a seventh consecutive year between 24-28 January – and according to Head of Outdoor Work Ryan Walsh, it was “bigger and better than ever”.
The RSPB runs the Big Schools’ Birdwatch every year to encourage schoolchildren to see how birds are faring in school grounds around the UK. This year, Dunhurst started the week by unveiling a new birdwatching hide in the school’s Outdoor Work area. At a grand opening for the hide – which was created by Block 1 (Year 7) pupils from an old shed last year – pupils hung new bird feeders and proceeded to watch them from the hide.
As well as birdwatching in morning breaks – which recorded blue, coal and great tits, robins, wrens, dunnocks, nuthatches, blackbirds, chaffinches and wood pigeons – there were bird related activities throughout the week. In Outdoor Work, all lessons were bird-based and every pupil made a bird feeder to hang at school or home. In Design, Group 1 (Year 4) pupils designed and made a flock of rocking birds; the Art department launched a bird drawing competition; and in Maths, Group 2 (Year 5) pupils’ data handling work had a birdwatching twist. Pupils also took part in bird quizzes and documentaries and especially enjoyed the ‘Find the Birdies’ activity at break times, where they searched for cuddly bird toys and exchanged them for RSPB pin badges.
Head of Outdoor Work Ryan Walsh said: “The Big Schools’ Birdwatch is a popular national event with lots of schools taking part, but at Dunhurst we’re fortunate enough to be able to dedicate a full week of lessons to it in Outdoor Work, with every pupil in the school making a bird feeder and taking part in bird-related activities. This year was bigger and better than ever! It was great to see pupils involved and they were all very enthusiastic about supporting the RSPB.”
Outdoor Work, a core curriculum subject for all pupils at Dunhurst, provides children with the opportunity to explore and experience the natural world through practical activities in the outdoors which helps promote confidence, independence and self-esteem. Find out more about the Outdoor Work curriculum at Dunhurst here.
