Pupils from Haverfordwest V.C. School got their thinking caps on recently to help the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to plan for a sustainable future.

The year five and six pupils enjoyed a visit to St Davids Airfield during the school's Curriculum Enrichment Week. 

 Haverfordwest V.C. School pupils spotting skylarks at St Davids Airfield, which is managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

National Park Ranger Ian Meopham and Activity Leader Mary Baker took the session at the former Second World War airfield, which is managed for wildlife conservation by the National Park Authority. A footpath runs through the site.

As well as hearing about the site’s wartime history, the children learnt about the modern wildlife habitats there, including wet oceanic heathland and species-rich hay meadows. They spotted skylarks and considered ways to improve the birds’ habitat.

Back at school pupils took part in another of the National Park Authority’s activity sessions – a St Davids Airfield rôle-play which encourages decision-making about planning and sustainability issues.

Steve Drinkwater, the National Park Authority’s Education Services Manager, said: “Usually pupils who take part in this activity haven’t visited the site. But in this case, the experience of visiting the airfield and absorbing something of the magic and beauty of the St Davids Peninsula seems to have influenced the children’s view of how the future of sites like this should be regarded. 

“When voting for one of several theoretical development choices for a site like this, not one child voted for a major tourism development, which is quite different to the voting pattern our education staff usually see in schools where children have only seen the site on photographs.”

The school’s Geography Co-ordinator Sandra Davies said: “There’s no substitute for getting the children out into the countryside, so they can see it and feel it for themselves – that’s how they get to appreciate it – and want to protect it.”