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Englefield Estate welcomes thousands of West Berkshire children for 26th annual Countryside Days for Schools




Englefield Estate opened its doors to more than 1,500 children last week.

Key Stage 2 pupils and staff from more than 30 schools visited the historic grounds from June 14 to 15 as the estate hosted its 26th annual Countryside Days for Schools — started in 1997 to give children a positive experience in a rural environment.

Green-fingered Hampstead Norreys Primary School pupils learn more about farming and rural life
Green-fingered Hampstead Norreys Primary School pupils learn more about farming and rural life

Each pupil enjoyed a rare opportunity to learn more about farming, forestry, horticulture, construction and wildlife conservation through a number of hands-on activities.

Experts joined staff across the estate to transform the grounds into an outdoor classroom.

And school staff were provided with maps and an itinerary so their pupils could visit all the displays and interactive demonstrations the estate had prepared.

St Anne's Catholic Primary School pupils design their own water supply system
St Anne's Catholic Primary School pupils design their own water supply system

Englefield Estate’s education and environment officer, Liz Mattison, said the two days were a huge success.

Garland Junior School pupil learns nestbox woodwork
Garland Junior School pupil learns nestbox woodwork

“We have a wonderful range of organisations and volunteers who help us to give children a unique day of hands-on learning about sustainability.

Hampstead Norreys Primary School pupils enjoy getting hands-on experience
Hampstead Norreys Primary School pupils enjoy getting hands-on experience

“Learning is directly linked to the National Curriculum, whilst reflecting real world situations and decisions.”

Other organisations involved with the county-wide project include the Museum of English Rural Life; Reading and District Beekeeping Association; Small Fire, Big Adventure; Butterfly Conservation; Action for the River Kennet; the archaeology department at Reading University; Hampshire Countryside Service; Thames Water; Berkshire Bat Rescue and the Angling Trust.



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