The Solar Eclipse

On Friday 20th March 2015 the UK witnessed one of the magical phenomena of our solar system, a partial solar eclipse. Millions of people across the world gathered outside to take the opportunity to view the eclipse. All of Preston Montford's staff, along with students from Bilborough College and Newcastle Under Lyme joined in to the watch the event happen. It was estimated that around 90% of the sun's rays were blocked by the moon at a peak time of 9.31am in Shrewsbury. 

 

 Handmade pinhole projectors made by our Education Assistants allowed everyone to view the eclipse safely without damaging their eyes. These allowed sun light to pass through a small hole and then project an image onto a piece of white paper behind it. A few kitchen colanders were also used to produce multiple projections of the eclipse.   

 

Luckily for us the weather stayed fine with no cloud, making the conditions perfect for viewing the eclipse. All staff and students remained outside till the maximum eclipse had passed, getting everyone awake and ready for a full day of teaching ahead.

 If you missed this one the next partial eclipse will be in 2026. See you there!

Insiring St Clare's School

The photograph shows a newly created willow classroom built by the pupils St Clare’s School, Derby. St Clare’s is a school that provides education for children with moderate learning difficulties and complex needs.

In the last two years the school has been financially supported by the FSC Kids Fund and visited Preston Montford for two separate residential courses. The courses were developed as two night stays and were designed to help develop the students’ social skills, foster independence and help the development of their eco team on their return to school.

The students visited Carding Mill Valley for an adventurous journey through dramatic landscapes, exploring and learning about the diversity of life in the river and the surrounding AONB and to challenge themselves personally and physically. They also developed their team and communication skills through games and conservation work in the Preston Montford grounds.

On the final day the pupils worked together learning how to trim the willow structures in our Sensory Garden and also to plant and make their own willow constructions. The photograph shows how well those skills have been applied and used back at school.

Steve Deadman, their Deputy Head Teacher, said that both staff and students have been inspired by their visits to Preston Montford and thanked our whole staff team for making both visits so successful.