Hello and welcome to the Eco News page.

Ballykeel Primary School is an Eco school and continues to focus on environmental issues such as tackling litter, saving energy, and reducing our carbon footprint. One of our WAU focus is to embed outdoor learning into the curriculum as much as it is possible. 

All staff have been trained by the Forestry Service and hold a Level 1 certificate in Forest School accreditation.

Two years ago, our school applied for the School Pollinator Garden Grant, funded by DAERA. The aim of the project was to improve school grounds, with a particular focus on enhancing pollinator friendly landscaping techniques, and providing infrastructure for pupils to enjoy outdoor spaces. We were awarded £10,659.05 to spend on our project!

Our school now boasts:

-a brand new outdoor classroom, available to all classes

-an outdoor reading area, where children can sit on log seats to read or enjoy story time

-a pollinator friendly area, to enhance our school grounds and attract wildlife

-a wildflower meadow

-3 newly refurbished vegetable beds

-2 beautifully planted outdoor courtyards 

-a polytunnel, where pupils can plant seeds and bring on flowers and vegetables 

-a plum and pear orchard

-an apple orchard

-a secret garden- a woodland area, recently refurbished with picnic tables and new raised beds, as well as an outdoor classroom.

-a wind turbine, providing enough “clean” electricity to power 2 classrooms.

As mentioned previously, one of our school focuses is to continue to embed outdoor learning into the curriculum, so all classes, from nursery to P7, will continue to regularly take part in outdoor learning activities. 

Finally, there is an Eco club (called "The Great Outdoors") every Tuesday during Term 1 and Term 2.