Nature Reserves

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St Peter's Primary School, CassingtonWebsiteStreet MapGoogle MapPhotos

St Peter's CE VA Primary School
Managed by:St Peter's CE VA Primary School
OS grid reference:SP 453 107
Nearest postcode:OX29 4DN
Usual work:Pond rejuvenation, dipping platform construction, hedge planting, scrub clearance, coppicing, path maintenance

St Peter's CE VA Primary School in Cassington lies on gravel strata about 800 m from the confluence of the River Evenlode with the River Thames. The nature areas in the school provide a range of habitats for local flora and fauna in addition to providing a safe environment in which the children can learn about nature and conservation. Wildlife areas include a pond, a small wetland area, willow woodland and meadow.

Conservation Management

OCV will be assisting at this site to help develop the nature areas for the benefit of the environment and education of the children. Work here will include pond rejuvenation and removal of some silt and reeds in order to provide more varied habitat for water loving species of flora and fauna that could otherwise find the pond too overgrown and dark. Removal of silt also helps water remain in the pond all year round, and thus helping aquatic species thrive. Work on the pond will also include construction of dipping platforms to help the children learn about the importance of ponds and the species they support.

Hedges will also be planted at the site in order to provide shelter and habitat, while scrub clearance of invasive species will be done in order to create a mini-wildflower meadow. The small woodland area will be enhanced through coppicing of willow to allow more light to the woodland floor and thus enabling more species of flora and fauna to service. Path maintenance such as spreading of woodchips will provide well-defined paths that will allow access to the nature areas while encouraging the children to stick to the paths allowing flora and fauna in to remain undamaged.

Directions

Take Woodstock Road from St Giles and at the roundabout take the A40 West signed to Cheltenham. After a few miles, turn right at some traffic lights onto Yarnton Road. When you enter Cassington the school is on the right.