SANDFORD School has been chosen to support an important conservation project to help replenish the diminishing water vole population.

As part of the thriving outdoor learning curriculum at Sandford School, pupils from Years 5 and 6 were treated to a lesson in Water Vole preservation from conservationists, Northumberland Wildlife Trust. During the presentation much was learned about the shy little water vole, nick-named ‘Ratty’ after the character in ‘The Wind in the Willows’.

The presentation formed part of a conservation project Sandford School has been chosen to contribute to The Restoring Ratty Project which includes a breeding programme at a Devon Farm to replenish the population of water voles at Kielder in Northumberland.

40 children alongside parents gathered to learn from both the Northumberland and Devon Wildlife Trusts about Ratty’s habitats, predators, and field signs which included footprints, angled nibbling on vegetation, and vole poo.

Sandford parent Claire Gibbs, explained: “The conservation project is so vital to ensuring that the water voles don’t become extinct and that our children and future generations get to see these amazing creatures in the wild.

“The children were so enthusiastic and really grasped how important this project really is”.

The presentation was followed up the following day with a trip to Upcott Grange Farm where Derek Gow has the ideal conditions to nurture vole parents and their babies.

Head teacher, Lois Briard explained: “During the farm visit the children got to see an incredibly rare white water vole, an otter and two beavers - not in the wild but a treat all the same!

“Paul from Devon Wildlife Trust is going up to Northumberland to see the release so we’ve invited him back in to tell us about it later in the summer.

“This is a very exciting project for the school to be involved in and we’re grateful to the Wildlife Trust for giving the children this opportunity”.

Following the visit, the children will make artwork about the creatures as part of an interpretation board which will go on to be displayed later this year in the hide at Kielder Water in Northumberland.