Collaboration for Nature: Charity and Business Partnership Creates Outdoor Learning Space at Thakeham Primary School
By Carrie Cort
As part of their action for World Climate Day on 23rd March, Sussex Green Living partnered in a brand-new way with local business to extend regional nature recovery efforts. Last week proved to be a very exciting time for Thakeham Primary School, as pupils became the proud recipients of a brand-new outdoor learning area thanks to a collaboration between Sussex Green Living, local business Mountjoy, and a network of community partners working together for nature.
The project forms part of Sussex Green Living’s Pollination Education Station (PES) Trail, an initiative designed to improve food security, support pollinators and provide accessible environmental education. The trail is supported by the charity’s Green Business Network, which enables businesses to work alongside the charity, educate their staff about sustainability and use corporate volunteering days to take meaningful action for climate and nature.
Mountjoy approached Sussex Green Living about becoming part of the Green Business Network and quickly identified the Pollination Education Station project as a practical way their team could contribute. Staff were eager to use their woodworking skills and volunteer time to help expand the growing network of installations across Sussex. Michael Morgan, Regional Contract Manager at Mountjoy, said “The team at Mountjoy are always pleased to support local schools and community-led sustainability and agriculture initiatives, helping to create greener spaces for future generations. Initiatives like this play a vital role in supporting local biodiversity while also giving students the opportunity to learn about sustainability and the importance of protecting our natural environment”.
Since the launch of the Pollination Education Station Trail in March 2024, 40 stations have been installed across East and West Sussex. Of these, 24 are located in schools, with others positioned in churches, youth hubs, outside businesses and in public green spaces.
The new installation at Thakeham Primary School includes a pollinator-friendly planting area and an outdoor learning space designed to help children connect with nature. Schools are encouraged to plant nectar-rich flowers around the stations and create simple seating areas using logs, forming a natural outdoor classroom where pupils can read, observe wildlife and enjoy quiet reflection. Carly Usherwood, teacher at Thakeham Primary School, added “The children thoroughly enjoyed setting up our new pollination station. Both Carrie and the Mountjoy team were friendly and knowledgeable about the project and engaged well with the children throughout. The activity was hands-on and the children talked enthusiastically about what they had been doing and why it was so important to attract pollinators to our school. The station looks fantastic and we can’t wait to see which visitors we attract!”
Carrie Cort, CEO of Sussex Green Living, reflected “We are always looking for ways to provide environmental education, particularly to support state primary schools. Thakeham Primary School are a wonderful example of a school keen to work with us to embed environmental learning in everyday school life. Their children are a joy to work with.”
The project demonstrates the power of collaboration, bringing together businesses, charities and communities to take action for climate and nature. Mountjoy staff contributed their time and craftsmanship using repurposed pallet wood, while plants were kindly donated by Greenwood Plants in Yapton.
Additional collaborators helping to build Pollination Education Stations include Lily Cottage Upcycling, Men’s Sheds Horsham, and Sussex Green Living’s own youth group.
The initiative also supports wider regional nature recovery efforts, working in harmony with partners such as Weald to Waves, Sussex Nature Recovery, Wilder Horsham District and Horsham Green Spaces to help reconnect habitats and strengthen biodiversity across the landscape.
Many schools use the stations as the starting point for broader environmental projects, including pollinator-friendly planting, wildflower areas and kitchen gardens. These activities help pupils understand the vital role pollinators play in our food system—responsible for roughly one in every three bites of food we eat.
Schools are also encouraged to involve pupils in citizen science projects using apps such as iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID, and by taking part in national initiatives such as the Big Butterfly Count (17 July – 9 August 2026) run by Butterfly Conservation.
Sussex Green Living hopes the project will inspire more schools, businesses and community groups to work together to create spaces where nature and people can thrive.
Learn more about getting involved:
Pollination Education Station Project: www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/renature
Green Business Network: www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/businesses
https://www.sussexnaturerecovery.org.uk/
https://www.wealdtowaves.co.uk/
https://www.horshamgreenspaces.org/
https://sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/wilderhorshamdistrict
