Countryside skills sessions help Llangollen pupils

Pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran recently rolled up their sleeves to learn countryside management skills. 

The youngsters were supported by Education Engagement Officers from Denbighshire County Council’s Llwybrau service to take part in outdoor education sessions run by Countryside Rangers around the south of the county. 

‘Denbighshire Education Project – Llwybrau team’, supports young people in Denbighshire to reduce their risk of disengagement from education and provides support to re-engage in education or to move into employment or training at the end of year 11. The service received funding from the UK Government. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee valley National Landscapes rangers have helped the pupils learn countryside management and other skills through sessions including: 

1. Bracken bashing on Dinas Bran
2. Balsams pulling at  Ty Mawr Country Park
3. Gardening at Corwen Community Garden
4. Craft activities at Plas Newydd Historic House and Garden with the Our Picturesque Landscape team
5. Drystone walling on Caer Drewyn Iron Age Hillfort
6. Litter picking along the Panorama

Cllr Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “I am delighted to see the great work that has been done with the Ysgol Dinas Bran pupils to not only support these youngsters to re-engage with their education, but also sparking a new-found interest for skills that they might not have developed through mainstream teaching.

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working from the Council’s Llwybrau service, whose experienced Education Engagement Officers have done a great job in utilising skills and resources from a variety of different organisations to support these pupils in re-engaging with their education and discovering new skills and hobbies that they might not have been aware of before.” 

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, added: “These sessions guided by our Countryside Rangers have really helped the pupils with building their confidence and learning new skills, and they have been rewarded with certificates to show their dedication towards volunteering on this project.”