Lower School boarding pupils have been taking a walk on the wild side by creating bug houses to accommodate local wildlife.
Whilst the children have found a home away from home in their boarding house, they wanted to give the same creature comforts to insects in the area and have created specially designed bug hotels in their weekend activity sessions.
Kelly Gibbons, Teacher of Design and Technology, said: “Our pupils have been nurturing local wildlife with their new bug houses and through creating these, we’ve been able to encourage them to support our ecosystem and educate them on the importance of this.”
“These new creations provide a nesting opportunity and hibernation place for many beneficial insects, increasing insect diversity in the area and helping to restart important ecosystems.”
The bug hotels are now displayed in the Hodges boarding house garden and pupils can hope to see some new residents moving in very soon.
The boxes were created re-using plywood from old products, using comb joints to assemble the boxes and bamboo for the insects to nest in.
The Lower School Boarders also had a great December learning how to be more sustainable for Christmas. As part of a weekend activity, Hodges pupils made different sustainable products for their Houses whilst learning how to be more environmentally responsible.
Pupils used computer-aided designs (CAD) and a laser cutter to produce Christmas decorations to hang on their tree at the School. These were made out of laser ply and acrylic offcuts from a manufacturing company that would have disposed of this excess material.
The boarders finished the term by making personalised soaps for Christmas gifts.
Oakham School’s boarders enjoy a packed programme of trips and activities which provide children with an exciting experience, filled with unmatched opportunities and the chance to make friends for life.
Find out more about Boarding at Oakham School.
