Forest Gate pupils count wildlife at St Bonaventure's school

The survey took place on the friary lawn at St Bonaventure’s in Forest Gate, east London, as part of a biodiversity study led by students in the school’s Laudato Si’ group.

The project supports the school’s climate action plan, which encourages environmental awareness and sustainability throughout the school community.

Aryan, one of the students, said: "I never knew we had so many species of animals here at St Bonaventure’s. I look forward to having the opportunity to increase these numbers by creating bird feeders to support them."

The students and teacher from St Bonaventure's who took part in the biodiversity survey (Image: St Bonaventure's)

Working in groups of three or four, pupils used a worksheet to document their findings.

Over the course of a week, they identified 73 individual animals across 11 species, including bumblebees, ladybirds, and a dragonfly.

The group’s highlight was a fox sighting, which helped reinforce the importance of biodiversity and the connections within their local ecosystem.

The pupils concluded the survey by making sustainability recommendations and now plan to make bird feeders from recycled plastic bottles. These feeders will be placed around the school grounds to support bird life during the colder months.

Mr Murray, geography teacher and sustainability lead at St Bonaventure’s, said: "It was truly inspiring to see the passion students have for wildlife and the genuine care they show for the environment in which they learn. There was a real buzz (pardon the pun) among the group when they realised just how many animals they had collectively spotted.

Two students from St Bonaventure's making animals and plants through East London, during the biodiversity survey (Image: St Bonaventure’s)

"Their dedication to caring for God’s creation has not only inspired them to do more, but has also inspired me to involve as many students as possible."

The survey is one of several recent environmental initiatives at the school. Pupils have also taken part in a tree-planting day and the introduction of plastic recycling bins, and the school now generates renewable energy using photovoltaic panels.

St Bonaventure’s, founded by the Franciscans, encourages pupils to follow the example of St Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology, by respecting and caring for the natural world.