Wirral: Pupils awarded for helping wildlife survive winter

Pupils in their bird hides

Source: CPMM Media

Nineteen pupils in Reception at St Alban's Catholic Primary School have been recognised by a leading UK charity for helping local songbirds survive the winter months.

The pupils, aged between four and five at the Wallasey-based primary school, have achieved SongBird Survival's Ruby Robin Award after completing a series of activities that saw them take practical actions to support birds in the colder weather.

To achieve the Ruby Robin Award, the young conservationists participated in four different challenges, including the craft and care challenge, where they designed and created bird feeders for the school's playground and their own homes, and the learn challenge, where they discovered how to identify different species of birds by their songs.

Pupils also constructed their own bird hides to observe and identify the birds flying into the school's garden area as part of the bird spot challenge, and also attempted to become 'worm charmers' in the fun and fundraising challenge to ensure their feathered friends had plenty of natural food to sustain them through the winter.

Reception pupil, Sandie, said: "I loved listening to the different birds."

Classmate, Amelie, added: "I liked putting the seed into the bird feeder and watching them eat it."

As part of their early years education, Reception pupils at St Alban's engage in forest school sessions one afternoon every week and it was through these hands-on lessons that pupils worked towards achieving the Ruby Robin Award, combining classroom learning with real-world conservation.

Miss Denise Heaton, higher level teaching assistant at St Alban's Catholic Primary School and forest school lead, said: "The children have braved all kinds of winter weather to care for our songbirds - rain, wind and even a bit of snow couldn't stop them. Since completing this work, they've learned to recognise bird calls, created their own bird feeders, and discovered how to look after local wildlife in a really hands-on way.

"I feel so proud of their energy, kindness, and commitment - they've truly made a difference and had fun doing it."

Headteacher, Mr John McDonald, added: "We are incredibly proud of our Reception pupils for achieving the Ruby Robin Award. At St Alban's, our forest school is much more than a way for our early years pupils to develop practical skills, it is an opportunity for them to connect with nature and live out our collective mission of caring for our common home. Well done to all Reception pupils!"

St Alban's Catholic Primary School is a proud member of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT), which comprises nine schools, including two secondary and seven primary, across Wirral and Cheshire.

CEO of HFCMAT, Mr Andy Moor, said: "This achievement is a wonderful example of how our schools not only enrich our children's education, but create experiences for them beyond the classroom that inspire a commitment to building a sustainable future. Caring for our environment is a collective responsibility, and it is wonderful to see our youngest learners leading the way in conservation, demonstrating a real commitment to supporting their local community."