Outdoor Learning

Our Wildlife Garden

The wildlife garden has provided a fantastic haven for wildlife for many years and is continually being developed so that it can be used to its full potential.  Pupils enjoy learning in this environment at all times of the year!

The wildlife garden had a complete makeover in 2020 as it had become overgrown with nettles and wasn't able to be used very much.  Since then, we have created a new entrance making it more accessible and inviting.  A fence and gate have been erected between the main area and the pond, paths have been marked out using old elderflower branches, and these paths have been mulched with wood chippings.  Three areas have been planted out with shrubs and perennials to encourage more wildlife in to the area, and we have created a learning circle with a firepit as the centre point.  As with all gardens, work is ongoing, and we hold regular 'garden bashes' to which parents come along to help out.

Forest School

In 2008, Craigievar School was one of the first schools in Scotland to become a Forest School and in the past used the wonderful forest, owned by the National Trust, which is just a short walk up the hill behind the school.

Sadly, Storm Arwen in November 2021 and Storm Malik in February 2022 caused considerable damage to the woodland where we hold our Forest School. This whole area had to be cleared and in March 2024 pupils were involved in re-planting a section of the forest with Scots Pines and other native trees. We are looking forward to watching them grow, and another wonderful area forming that will be available for us to use in the future. We will be working with the National Trust North East Ranger Service during this period to learn about conservation, storm damage, and the local wildlife that live in the forest and around Craigievar Castle.

In the meantime, we are so fortunate to have our very own wildlife garden and forest school area in the grounds of the school. We have had some great Forest School sessions, with the pupils making popcorn over the firepit, hunting for bugs, sawing logs and doing leaf rubbings, and lots more.