The School Pond
An Introduction
The school pond is becoming increasingly popular with the upsurge in interest in ecological, conservation and biological subjects at school. A pond provides a neat and compact resource for teachers and can be used for all levels of education from infant to high school, and embrace a wide range of cross-curricula activities. The following are considerations for creating a successful and safe school pond.
|
|
Ideally the pond should be located so that it can be seen from nearby school buildings. If an accident does occur, then there is a greater likelihood of it being seen or heard. Trees and shrubs must not be allowed to interfere with the view of the pond.
While the pond can be enjoyed as an amenity by both the teachers and the pupils, there should be a general understanding within the school that it is a teaching facility and that it must be respected and treated as such.
|
|
Do not establish a pond close to a school boundary, especially where there is also public access. This is an invitation to vandalism. The site of the pond should also be away from regularly used paths and sports pitches.
When deciding upon the location, take into account the likelihood of unauthorised users and trespassers, especially during the evening and school holidays. It is also important to remember the requirements for successful aquatic plant growth; a position in the open.
|
|
A school pond should be designed so that the edges are shallow and deeper water is towards the centre. Not only is this safe for the children, but is a good practical design, especially for a pond where there is the intention of attracting a broad range of local aquatic wildlife.
This also provides excellent opportunities for establishing an interesting array of aquatic plant species. There is never any requirement to have the pond any deeper than one metre at its deepest point.
|
|
The surroundings of the pond should ideally be flat. Eliminate all tripping hazards from the working area around the pond and clearly delineate the edge. Ideally this should be done using paving slabs. Not only are these safe when properly laid, but they provide a suitable place to work from at the waters’ edge.
When working from a grass bank, the soil often becomes wet and the grass slippery. In areas where it is desirable to leave a soil bank for ecological reasons, plant this so that it is inaccessible.
|
|
It is preferable not to use electricity near the pond. Ideally any pump should operate from solar power. When this is not practical, then use a transformer to reduce the voltage. All electrical equipment should be connected to the supply through a circuit breaker.
If it is considered desirable to light the pond at night for safety reasons, consider solar garden lighting. If this proves to be unsuitable, moonlight the pond from above using a light attached to a nearby building or pole.
|
|
All school ponds should be fenced, although sufficient space must be provided around them, within the enclosure, to permit the comfortable working of teachers and children. The fence should be a minimum of one metre high, or higher depending upon the risks.
If the fencing has slats, these must be vertical, not horizontal, with no gaps large enough for a child to pass through. The fence must be strong, servicable and more than a mere gesture to safety. It must have a lockable gate to prevent unauthorised entry.
|
|
Warning signs must be posted warning of the presence of the pond and detailing safety rules for use. Signs must be used in addition to other control measures. They are not an alternative to a comprehensive safety policy.
The school must carry out a risk assessment and the results of this must be made known to all the staff. It is very important to regularly convey the importance of safety to the children, but without impairing their enjoyment of the pond as a learning resource.
|
|
The pond must be regularly maintained to ensure that the perimeter does not become obscured and the surroundings do not deteriorate. Excessive plant growth should be controlled and any silt deposits regularly removed. Apart from being an aid to safety, such management enhances the quality of the wildlife present.
Measures should be taken to make sure that mosquitoes do not become established. Careful regular maintenance can also ensure that there is a balance of teaching resources available within the pond, both plants and aquatic life.
|
|
Classes or groups of pupils must be supervised at all times. The ratio of pupils to staff must ensure full control. The school must develop an emergency action plan associated with the pond. This should cover the rescuing of someone who has fallen in, resuscitation and first aid.
Also how to call for assistance and what to do with other pupils during an emergency. All staff should be aware of the action plan, irrespective of whether they personally use the pond for teaching or not.
|
|
The intended use of the pond should be made clear to all pupils. They must also be made aware of the risks and how they should behave. They must be instructed that on no account should they drink the pond water.
Personal hygiene is essential, even with a manicured school pond. Although a remote prospect, Weil's Disease is a rare bacterial infection carried in rat urine that can be contracted at the waterside. Wash exposed parts of the body thoroughly after pond studies.
|
The foregoing are only suggested guidelines for the establishment and management of a school pond. Local school regulations and government directives must also be taken into account where appropriate.
Click to join schoolpond
|
|
America 
Australia 
Canada 
Europe 
International 
New Zealand 
South Africa 
United Kingdom 
