Rhuddlan pupils help install Bat and Bird boxes as part of wider project at Ysgol y Castell

Pupils at Ysgol Y Castell had the chance to get a close up look at a real bird’s nest and learn about the importance of bird and bat boxes.

Andrew Cutts, Denbighshire’s Ecological Compliance and Support Officer led a session in the forest school area of the site, where the pupils learned about how to identify a good position for bird and bat boxes.

Pupils then helped to pick suitable trees in their forest school area for the boxes to be installed by BrynBuild, the contractor on the project.

Five bird boxes and three bat boxes were built and installed as part of the Community Benefits associated with the four classroom extension currently underway on the site.

The extension of four classrooms and initial energy improvement works are being undertaken in the first phase of the project, with further energy reduction works planned for a second phase.

The first phase of the project is 65% match funded by the Welsh Government, through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The remaining 35% of funding has primarily come from a developer’s contribution provided by the Tirionfa housing development in Rhuddlan.

The external wall for the first 2 classrooms to be extended has now been removed and the footings and ground beam are almost complete. The LED lighting upgrades throughout the site are progressing well and the install of the steel frame and substructure are due to commence shortly.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

 “As part of the wider scope of this project, the pupils at Ysgol y Castell got to learn about the importance of nature within the grounds of the school.

The project will see a number of Bat and Bird boxes installed, alongside the extension, which is progressing well at this stage.”