Galloper Wind Farm Fund Case Studies:

Alde Valley Academy

Alde Valley Academy in Leiston were awarded £946.98 from the Galloper Wind Farm Fund to make the school grounds more welcoming and wildlife-friendly, for the benefit of all children, but particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Thanks to funding from the Galloper Wind Farm Fund, the school was able to purchase gardening equipment, including spades, forks and rakes. Using the new tools, the weekly Gardening Club, composed of Y10 leaders with Y8 and Y7 attendees, planted over thirty saplings on the school grounds. The tools purchased supported the gardeners with enhancing the school grounds for the benefit of nature.

Additionally, bug hotels, birdfeeders and birdhouses were purchased and placed on the school site to help attract more wildlife to the area. These have also made the area more attractive for all students too.

Alde Valley Academy’s Gardening Club, weather-permitting, takes place after-school every Monday with many regular members, including children with SEN, helping to widen the spectrum of people accessing nature.

Gardening is a valuable activity for SEN students as it allows them to develop gross motor skills, whilst getting the physical and mental health benefits of gardening, exercise and being outside in fresh air.

For the Y10s, it has provided a great opportunity for them to develop their leadership skills under the guidance of an English teacher who is very much looking forward to using the redevelopment of the outdoor space as a calm reading nook for some of her classes.