At Gateford Park Primary School we offer a range of clubs for children to participate in. 
 

In addition to teacher-led clubs, we offer wrap-around care. Our Breakfast Club opens at 7.30am each morning and finishes at 8.40am, ready for the start of the school day. After School Club runs from 3.20pm - 6pm daily. For more information about prices, or to book a place, please see Mr. Harrison in the office. Thank you :) 

Environment Club

Welcome to this new page.

We intend to put lots of news and pictures of what the club members do throughout the year, so that you can see how the children learn and enjoy all aspects of the environment. 

Last week we took cuttings of dogwood, hawthorn and berberis. It will take a few months, but hopefully some of the cuttings will take and have roots on them so they can be planted in the future. We also made butterfly idials  so that the children can improve their knowledge of common butterflies.

Friday's group also had a recognition quiz of common wild plants- what most people refer to as weeds - so that they can recognise these plants when they grow in the new year.

This week the children learnt about the various forms of fungi and had a look at the various lichens on the trees outside. They also had a quick quiz to see if they could use their new found knowledge. Some were remarkably knowledgeable after only one session!

Have a look at the pictures and see if you can recognise any of these in the pictures below?

This week the children made respect our school signs and learnt about the common small wild flowers that can be seen around school. They also started to think of  ideas for the design of a school environment flag.

Tidying the school grounds

This week the children were tidying up the school grounds and looking at the bulbs that are emerging. After that, the children did a butterfly recognition quiz and Casey (who has been studying them) showed exceptional knowledge, although all the children did well!

Week ending 3rd February

This week we have been learning how to recognise flowering bulbs and looking for signs of Spring. 

The Friday group also dug over the wild flower area to try to get rid of as much grass as possible - it was hard work, but worth it .Next week the Wednesday group will finish the job and put some wild flower seed down as long as it is not too frosty.  

Week ending 3rd March

Things are getting really busy now as Spring is just around the corner! The children have been moving bulbs so that they can be displayed around the school and learning their names.

The children have used snowdrops, miniature irises, tete a tete daffodils, crocus and grape hyacinth.

In addition, the children planted early seeds (cosmos and marigold) and learnt what the different seeds looked like.

Finally, can I thank all the children who do the recycling!

Week ending 24th March

The children have been tidying up the school grounds (litter picking and preparing  the vegetable area for new planting).  They have also created a new willow arch for the entrance to the quiet area, which they thought looked great- hopefully, with careful watering it will survive through the coming summer.

Spring is officially here and the children have been looking for signs.  Last week, they were delighted to see frogs in the pond - They saw up to 8- which is the most that has ever been seen! 

Week Commencing 5th May

As Summer rapidly approaches the children have been really busy! The children have re-furbished the Quiet Area and it will re-open in the next few days. They have also maintained and improved Judith's Garden. Finally they have been tidying up the vegetable plots. 

This week we have discovered that we have at least two newts in our pond.

They were first discovered by Gnome class who were investigating the pond area and they seen again by environment club members last week!

Week commencing 15th March

This week we have been planting more beans, peas and potatoes in the vegetable garden and will watching out for the radish, beans, onion and carrots staring to grow in the infant vegetable plot.

The children have also been busy improving the quiet area and weeding Judith's Garden. They also made a super discovery when they found the large beetle there- points for anyone who knows what it is.... and it is harmless!