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The Mound
 | The Mound used to be a 50m x 15m eyesore in the school grounds, created when foundations for the Maths block were dug. It was a species poor heap, regularly sprayed with herbicide.
In 2002 a leaflet from Earthwatch advertising an environmental competition for teachers provided the incentive to develop it into a haven for small mammals and insects.
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Initial costs were minimal, with volunteers clearing and landscaping the site on a Saturday afternoon. The site was then seeded with a wildflower and grass mix, a rock and log pile installed and composting areas created. Longworth small mammal traps (with shrew holes) were purchased and regular surveys of the Mound and surrounding schools grounds carried out to monitor development of the site.
In 2003 additional funding from the school allowed the installation of two sets of steps and a path across the Mound to improve access.
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 | Initially the site required labour intensive maintenance to keep oil seed rape in check. Over the years a large amount of seed had accumulated, having been blown in from an adjacent field.
The site has to be strimmed yearly in order to maintain wildflower diversity and as we didn’t install a weed proof membrane, the paths require regular weeding. Without maintenance nettles and other invasive species would dominate the site, reducing species diversity. |
| Awards: | Amerada Hess Earthwatch Environmental Award 2002 |
| Funding: | Earthwatch Grant - £125
B&Q Better Neighbour Grant - provided gardening equipment
School funds |
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