The Trust recently launched the Wilder Schools project, offering every school in Hertfordshire and Middlesex a visit from a Wilder Schools Champion. These visits provide tailored advice on how to make school grounds more wildlife-friendly, celebrating what’s already in place and suggesting ways to do even more.

Wilder Schools comes at a crucial time for nature. With the UK facing an ongoing biodiversity crisis, this initiative is part of the Trust’s wider strategy to connect and protect at least 30% of land for nature’s recovery by 2030. By working with schools, landowners, local authorities, and individuals, we can create more space for wildlife to thrive.

All schools are invited to book a visit, but what’s it actually like to have a Wilder Schools Champion come in?

We asked Wilder Schools Champion Richard Witter to share his experience, why he got involved, and what schools can expect from a visit…

Why did you become a Wilder Schools Champion?

I have always had a passion for wildlife and green spaces, after deciding to take a career break I saw Herts and Middlesex Trust were looking for volunteers for the Wilder Schools Scheme and jumped at the opportunity. I have three young children at home and love taking them out into the garden or local nature reserves to hunt for minibeasts or just enjoy the outdoors. The ability to help create that same opportunity for every child within the school environment is fantastic.

What does your role involve?

As a Wilder Schools Champion I will visit schools and take a walk around the grounds with a member of staff, identifying existing and potential areas for increasing the biodiversity of the site. After a thorough visit I will put together a plan for the school to follow, ranging from easy wins, to larger scale projects that the school could work up to. We also provide a range of resources and online material with advice on pollinator friendly plants, wildlife pond installation, bird and bat boxes and much more. We can then arrange a follow up visit to see how they are getting on after 6 months or so.

How is this impacting on wildlife and on the school community?
The scope of the impact this scheme can have is really significant, there are almost 600 schools in Hertfordshire. If each school we visit can make their grounds a more welcoming place for wildlife, this will make a lasting difference. The ability to get pupils involved in the projects is great for the school community, whether it be tree planting, wildflower meadow creation, building a bug hotel or digging a pond, the pupils can look back and say "I did that".  There is also a knock-on effect of the schoolchildren getting involved in the plan, and taking the ideas home to their gardens or balconies.
 
What feedback are you getting from the school team, parents, carers and children?
At the start of the visit the most common concern is that people want to do something, but don't know where to start! After the visit we can always identify some easy wins for wildlife, such as not mowing that awkward corner of the playground, or reducing hedge trimming to allow flowers and fruit set. Having a clear plan makes taking that first step much less daunting.

At my children's school we have now got a working group of parents/carers who get together every few months to do some work on our Wilder School plan. It's fun, social and we involve the children where possible. The children and parents/carers feel involved in making their school a nicer place for wildlife. Everyone is very excited for spring to see what creatures have made their home in the new micro-pond we installed last year.

What would be your advice to schools who haven’t arranged a visit yet?
Do it! It may seem daunting to get a list of potential jobs but every school I have visited has found that the clear plan gives them to confidence to take action. You'll also be amazed at the existing habitats that are already there, waiting to flourish with a little TLC.
 

At Prae Wood School (my kids school) where I'm heading up the parents working group. We have done the below from our plan. It's taken a bit of organisation but with many hands it's amazing what you can acheive. 

• Installed some new planters for vegetables.
• Renovated the composting area.
• Created a log-pile habitat and hedgehog hideaway.
• Designated an area for a wildflower patch (first no-mow season is this spring)
• Built a bug hotel.
• Installed a micro pond.

I'm going to be running some workshops with the KS1 children at our school around the mini-pond, seeing what has made its home there and doing some bug identification. It's the tiniest little pond (in an old belfast sink) but it really demonstrates that wherever you make space for wildlife, the wildlife will come.

Could Your School Benefit?

The Wilder Schools project is open to all schools in Hertfordshire and Middlesex, offering a free visit from a Wilder Schools Champion to provide tailored advice on creating more space for wildlife. Whether it’s adding a wildflower area, installing bird boxes, or making small changes to existing green spaces, every school can play a role in helping nature thrive.

If you work at a school, or know one that could benefit, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch to book a visit and take the first step towards making your school grounds wilder.