Collect tokens in the Echo for School Build Challenge

DISCOVERING nature in the backyard is the thinking behind one entry into the Echo’s School Build Challenge.

Broadmayne First School is one of the 21 finalists in the competition that could see three school’s share in an outdoor construction make-over worth £6,000.

The competition is being run by the Echo and by construction company Leadbitter, who are currently undertaking £35 million worth of improvement works in Dorchester including work at Brewery Square and building the new Thomas Hardye leisure centre.

The competition is now in the final stages with schools collecting vouchers printed in the Echo every day until July 9. The total vouchers collected will then be divided by the number of pupils at the school so that no school gets an advantage at the final count.

Broadmayne First School submitted a plan to build a new bird hide for the garden.

Eco-schools co-ordinator Anna Felgate said that the hide would be used by students for lessons.

She said: “We want to develop the outdoor learning area with a particular focus on wildlife that would benefit every child.

“We already have lots of gardening and planting projects in place.

“The children have already been involved in the planning process by designing the bird hide. They will be able to use the hide for lots of cross-curriculum learning from science and lifecycles, bird migration in geography, factual writing in English and literacy lessons and measuring, comparing and data-handling in maths.

“We also have a camera ready to install in a house so that we can film the birds in our own version on Spring Watch.”

The bird hide would be placed in the garden area of the school grounds away from the playground.

Mrs Felgate added: “It would be a sanctuary for birds and away from the playground area. We don’t want to disrupt them. The children are very excited about the opportunity to watch birds. We are also interested in developing an outside classroom area, that’s just one of the further improvements we would like to do.”

Anyone can get involved and collect vouchers for a school or project, even if you don’t live in the area. Vouchers can be found in the Echo and sent to your desired school or to the Echo.