Dame Allan's and Natural History Society of Northumbria partner on new Young Naturalist Award Scheme

Year 8 Pupils at Dame Allan's Schools take part in the Young Naturalists Award

Above: Year 8 pupils from Dame Allan's Schools are taking part in a new Young Naturalists Award Programme 

Dame Allan’s Schools Outdoor Education (OLED) team and the Natural History Society of Northumbria have partnered to create a scheme for pupils to get them involved in nature and local conservation.

With a soft launch in late 2024, the programme, which is based in Gosforth Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Newcastle, now has 26 members, all from Year 8 at Dame Allan’s Schools. Pupils will be undertaking regular field work in the nature reserve, under the supervision of Nature Rangers from the Natural History Society of Northumbria, plus Mr Iain Cleeve, OLED Instructor from Dame Allan’s, and supporting staff and Sixth Formers from the school. 

The nature reserve has seen over 1,600 species recorded by visitors and spans over 61 hectares of woodland and wetland, making it ideal for budding naturalists to explore and study.

Iain commented: “It is fantastic to be able to get our pupils involved in nature and I have been so pleased with the enthusiastic response we have had to our first Young Naturalist Award. Working with the experts from the Natural History Society of Northumbria makes this even more valuable for our pupils, as well as having the chance to explore Gosforth Nature Reserve. 

This award has been designed to enable Year 8 pupils to further explore their interest in nature alongside their curriculum in biology. It involves four days of guided learning throughout the year aligned to the four seasons. In addition to this, pupils undertake four days (or more if they choose) of self-discovery and exploration in areas of interest, and will design their own conservation project to support their chosen specialism.”

The first session at the end of last term saw pupils receive logbooks and badges to initiate them into the club, with this introductory session hosted by Miss Emily Anderson and Miss Hollie Muir from the Natural History Society of Northumbria. They provided the group with some very useful insights into the reserve, its ecology and wildlife before setting pupils off on their first task 'The Big Guided Nature Walk'. This encompassed the whole of the reserve and the pupils were able to see and study the different micro-environments within; from ancient woodland and man made forest, open moor and scrubland, to the impressive ponds and reed beds. 

Iain added: "Evidence of an otter family was found in one stream, where the otter's claw marks could be easily seen preserved on a ramp to a sluice gate. The bird hides which are dotted around the ponds provided a chance to observe a majestic heron preening himself and after spotting many different types of Fungi and Mushrooms we were all treated to the family of Roe Deer in the neighbouring farmland freely frolicking about and playing in the sunshine.”

This session of the award will end in the last weekend in June, with a visit to the Northumberland Coast and the Farne Islands to explore the coastal environment.

The Young Naturalists are also encouraging the artists and photographers within the group to record scenes of nature that have inspired them throughout the year, to feature in a calendar to sell to friends and family in aid of the Gosforth Nature Reserve.