Student teachers restore ‘unloved’ pond at Bognor primary school

An ‘unloved’ and overgrown pond at Rose Green Infants school has been restored by four student teachers from the University of Chichester.

The project was undertaken as part of the students’ final year of study and saw them working hard to restore the previously overgrown part of the school grounds.

Together, the students cleared the pond of deadwood and debris, filled it with fresh water, fitted a working pump, and replanted fresh flowers. All while juggling teaching practice and their studies.

Sally Dreckmann who has been the headteacher at Rose Green Infant School for the last 18 months, was very impressed by their hard work.

“They’ve made it a useable area for our children to be able to pond dip and do environmental science work. It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve reclaimed that space. We’re absolutely thrilled,” she said.

That excitement was echoed by Rose Green Pupils themselves, who can’t wait to see what fresh delights the pool might reveal.

Mrs Dreckmann said: “All the children that are currently here have never seen it being used before because it’s been unloved for several years. None of them have ever had the opportunity. So, now it’s officially open we can get them in there for their environmental work.”