CALEDONIA LANGUAGE UNIT
SCHOOL GROUND IMPROVEMENTS

Caledonia Language Unit, a Special Needs school, contacted Kelvin Clyde Greenspace in regard to improving their school grounds. Glasgow City Council Land Services Department had already been involved and had laid out the framework for a wildlife garden in place of an ugly, litter-filled shrub bed.

The head teacher had sourced initial funding from the Landfill Trust which covered the costs for the design and implementation of the garden framework. Kelvin Clyde Greenspace then gave advice on suitable plant species and helped the pupils plant up the area with wildlife-friendly and attractive plants. An artist was also contacted to work with the pupils to design and paint a selection of wooden mini-beasts which were attached to fencing within the garden.

Greenspace Scotland also awarded some funding which went towards some attractive seating made by BPI Recycled Products, a company which uses recycled plastic for activity tables and benches.
The end result was a very attractive garden area which won gold in Glasgow's Rosebowl competition in spring 2004.

However, the story doesn’t end here. The school then applied for an Awards for All grant which was approved. A new part of the school was looked at with a view to creating a “wilder” teaching area. An area of amenity grass with a desire line path running through it was chosen. It was then fenced, a whindust path replaced the desire line and a gate was installed to control access. Pupils working with both Kelvin Clyde Greenspace staff and the Scottish Wildlife Trust created a bog garden, shrub bed areas, a wildflower meadow and installed an activity table. Extra features such as the planting of Fishpole Bamboo provided a sensory experience for the pupils while the planting of climbers such as clematis and ivy softened the appearance of the picket fence.

Through a variety of organisations working in partnership, the school now has a wide range of outdoor teaching resources which are attractive and support a variety of wildlife.

Back