Creating a buzz at Willowbridge School

Pupils and teachers at Willowbridge School have been busy developing their outdoor space. Eco School’s coordinator Mrs Finessa Wallace supported pupils in creating an area where they could engage with nature and the rich biodiversity of the area. They were joined by First Minster Mrs Arlene Foster, MLA in sowing wildflower seeds and planting trees. 

The space will attract a variety of birds, bees and butterflies to the meadow and pupils will be able to relax and watch from the school’s new birdwatching hut which is fully equipped with a telescope, binoculars, microscopes and butterfly catchers.

This is the first phase of the Willowbridge outdoor learning area which will provide the school with a magnificent outdoor classroom for pupils to learn about the landscape that surrounds them and be part of improving and developing it.

Arlene Foster, First Minister planted an oak tree on the site and said,

“It was really fabulous to attend Willowbridge School and see the development of their eco-garden. I know from speaking to the kids that they have really enjoyed planting trees and flowers to create a green space at their School.

I look forward to returning in the future to see the transformation of the space and indeed hopefully the trees and plants will continue to bring joy to the School for years to come.”

Finessa Wallace, Eco school’s coordinator, Willowbridge School commented,

“This is the first step towards engaging our school community in environmental activities at the most local level that will benefit us all. In the coming weeks this new space will be a hive of activity with bees, butterflies and birds all enjoying the habitat created by pupils of the school.”

25 May 2021