As part of their Eco Schools membership, pupils suggested saving an existing timber play house from demolition by repairing and refurbishing it as an eco resource for the entire school community.
Pewley Down students play in their ‘eco play house’ © Pewley Down Infant School.
Pupils took part in the planning, design, construction and decoration of the eco play house. Using play as a starting point, the project cleverly engaged young children in environmental issues and allowed them to experience scaled-down versions of real green products.
The project was started by the pupil eco team who worked with an architect to develop designs for the play house, and research features such as a green roof, sustainable insulation and solar powered lighting. The project culminated in a series of workshops and a whole school when all the children had an opportunity to take part in the decoration, fitting-out and planting of the green roof.
Key stage
Key stages 1 & 2
Curriculum links
The project linked to many areas of the curriculum including science, art, design technology, english and maths. It was extremely cross-curricular: pupils researched eco facts, wrote letters to companies, measured the roof to work out how much grass and soil was needed, and made designs for the sign. They also developed team work and communication skills by working together co-operatively.
Learning objectives
This project aimed to encourage pupils to:
- understand the environmental impact of buildings and why this needs to be reduced
- understand the different parts of a simple building and how green technology can change the way these are made
- see the possibility of reusing an existing building rather than allowing it to be demolished
- see and experience the installation of sustainable building features in practice
- develop the understanding and confidence to explain their project and ideas to others.
Length of project
January – March 2010
Student's design of the 'eco play house' © Pewley Down Infant School
What did the learning involve?
Main teaching and learning activities
Activity 1
The eco team developed their plans with a local architect – they researched how features such as insulation, a green roof, water butt and solar powered lights can reduce the environmental impact of a building and have a positive impact on their environment.
Activity 2
Pupils created an insulated wall displaying samples of different environmentally-friendly insulation products such as sheep’s wool, old woolly socks and straw.
Activity 3
Pupils created ‘eco fact boxes’ by painting eco facts and figures onto timber boxes displayed on the walls of the play house. These fact boxes now serve as a teaching resource.
Activity 4
The other main green features, such as the green roof, rainwater collecting system (for watering the plants), solar lights and window boxes were installed. Pupils took part in an art competition to design the sign for the playhouse.
Activity 5
Towards the end of the project a whole school Green Day and an environment-related family curriculum morning were held. Very young pupils, including reception classes, painted the outside and could help with planting.
Resources / partners
- parent governor and local architect, Sara Waterfield
- sustainable building specialists from Guildford Environmental Forum
- ocal builders Lampard and Partners, Raven Roofing, Bricks and Bread Sustainable Living Centre – all of whom donated time, expertise, insulation and other materials
Funding
£1,475 awarded through the CABE education grants.
Pewley Down student decorates the 'eco play house' © Pewley Down Infant School.
How well were the aims met?
The work created:
- a project which the eco team have real ownership of
- a cross-curricular project for the entire school
- opportunities to engage very young children, the local community and parents
- a new lease of life for the school grounds – children will be responsible for looking after and maintaining the playhouse
- an ongoing resource for the school to educate and engage pupils in sustainable building issues
- a resource for others: Pewley plan to share their experience of creating it with other schools
Comments from teachers/students
‘The project introduced young children to the issues of sustainable construction in a very meaningful way.’ Sarah Mackenzie, Teacher
‘It was great fun working together to design the eco playhouse.’ Student
‘I really enjoyed finding out some eco facts and putting them into the eco fact boxes. I read the facts to my friend.’ Student
2009/10 Education Grant case studies:
A Virtual School for Children in Care, Cornwall, builds its own straw bale shelter.
Ercall Wood Technology College, Telford, create a spiritual space at school.
Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children, London, create sculpture project.
St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, Guildford, build an outdoor learning ‘den’.
Further information
Read about the 2008/09 grant winning projects.
