LIVING WILLOW STRUCTURES IN SCHOOLS

INTERACTIVE LIVING WILLOW DOME AND TUNNEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT A PRIMARY SCHOOL

Image: Ganesh & children preparing the trench for living willow fedge walkway

With Ganesh Bruce and Elaine Kings

Working with the children

Endless Learning Potential

Hands on Participation

Enhances School Environment

Linked to School Curriculum

Fun & Exciting…….

Spring time shot of School willow dome - taken early May. Photo underneath is when it was planted in January of the same year.

Image: Spring time shot of School Dome

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Image: Photograph of a 2 year old willow dome in early spring.

This selection of illustrations and comments relate to the CREATIVE LIVING WILLOW projects that have been constructed with the help of children and adults on school sites

The personal skills and abilities of the children, teachers and helpers have been drawn upon to create special outside places for use throughout the year for study and play.
These projects take account of the Sun Safe Campaign.

School communities have eagerly participated in all aspects of the activities building on the school curriculum and fostering positive attitudes to the environment.

The key objectives of the National Curriculum subject areas have been interpreted in many practical ways throughout the Living Willow Structure Projects.

A typical living willow project is fully discussed with the Head teacher and/or staff to establish the requirements of both the school’s curriculum and the planted willow.

A project can range in size and time taken will vary between 1 – 4 days. Working closely with the staff, children and helpers. Activities are designed to suit the age, ability and curriculum needs of all groups of children. Schools normally opt for a fifth day of willow craftwork.

Based upon previous teaching knowledge and working closely with schools a wide range of ideas have been gathered for extending and integrating the living willow projects. Whole school assemblies at project beginning and end have proved most successful and enjoyable for highlighting the total school community experience.

During the first growing season there will be further visits to the school for willow maintenance, staff training and interactive story telling with the children. Further maintenance would be negotiated.

School Recommendations

When Geoff and Ganesh came to build the living willow dome in our field they successfully involved all year groups from Reception to Year 6 in the design and build process. Children were soon enthusiastically designing, measuring and estimating, not to mention planting and weaving. Since its inception the Dome has become an important study area, and is frequently used for activities like storytelling or as a base for outdoor nature/bird studies/ Ganesh has continued to maintain it as it develops. He has also worked with the children on such diverse activities as rainbow candle dying, weaving, making willow bird feeder, studying Hinduism and storytelling. His work continues to encompass a wide range of programmes of study whilst providing highly enjoyable challenges to all age groups.

The class of children were introduced to the various tools and living branches to be used. They then worked alongside Ganesh and Geoff in small groups, helping to dig, plant and weave the hazel and willow into the structure. At each stage the children were encouraged to participate, discussing what they saw, touched and felt about the project. The days were completed with circle time around the dome, including singing, juggling and story telling. An enjoyable conclusion for all.

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The living willow structures have assisted several school achieve eco status and in winning local, nation and international awards.

Other popular and successful bio-diversity projects are on offer to schools, teachers and groups. These include creating willow osier beds; small scale orchards, apple pressing days; tree planting and hedging; organic raised bed systems and composting, willow craft workshops, making living pencils and charcoal often using the school’s own willow.

Teachers INSET days can be arranged either in schools or at Ganesh’s home workshop which is just south of Chichester.