Pupils from St Martin’s Primary School have turned St Martin’s Meadow into a pollinator-friendly learning space.
Guernsey Housing Association (GHA) provided access to this land as part of its commitment to community, education and biodiversity.
The initiative was led by the school’s Rights Squad, a group of children aged eight to 11. This year, the Rights Squad focused on the critical role pollinators play in global food systems. They developed a plan to enhance the school’s outdoor environment to attract and support local pollinators. This aligns with Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which champions every child’s right to nutritious food.
The students worked alongside Angela Salmon from the Nature Commission to survey the field. They identified several native pollinator plants already present, including vetch, creeping thistle, cat’s ear and dock. With guidance from the Pollinator Project and GROW, the children selected additional native species to enrich the biodiversity of the space.
A path and central outdoor classroom have since been mown into the field, making the area accessible and educational.
Clare Giles, Headteacher at St Martin’s Primary School, said: “Our Rights Squad continue to impress us with their thoughtfulness, passion and drive. The enhancement of St Martin’s Meadow is a great example of what children can achieve when given the opportunity. This space will support both pollinators and learning for years to come.”
Vic Slade, Chief Executive of GHA, added: “We’re proud to support such an inspiring initiative by making this land available. Otherwise, it would have been on a routine grounds maintenance programme. It’s a great opportunity to support learning, biodiversity and better outcomes for nature and the environment.”
