Heart of England CRP

A FREE education programme for schools to help students learn about improving biodiversity at stations through a variety of FREE curriculum-based activities and trips. Partnered with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, learning was really brought to life through interactive games and experiencing the natural world.

The project is delivered by Heart of England Community Rail Partnership (Heart CRP) who are hosted by Warwickshire County Council and funded through a variety of local district authority bodies in addition to local train operating companies (Chiltern, West Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast and Cross Country).

During its pilot year Wild Rails has engaged with two schools (one Primary and one Secondary school) along the railway line from Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street reaching approximately 60 students so far. One school we worked with their Year 6 class and in the other they ran the programme through their Eco-Club which worked really well. For each school’s project both selected a bug hotel. Lapworth’s has been installed (see from the video below) and Leamington’s is due to be completed this Summer. The cyanotype artwork from each school will also be installed at stations during Summer 2025.

• Term 1: Understanding eco-systems and a wildlife survey (2 sessions)
• Term 2: Research and create an intervention (such as a planter/ bug hotel/ vertical garden) to improve biodiversity at their railway station  (2 sessions)
• Term 3: Creating cyanotype nature inspired artwork (1 session)

And a reward school trip to a local biodiversity themed destination e.g. Birmingham Botanical Gardens (1 session).

We hope our FREE and fun activities will enhance school’s environmental/biodiversity learning, with access to Warwickshire Wildlife Trust expertise.

In addition to this we endeavour to build stronger relationships between local schools, the railway station adopter groups and the Train Operating Companies (TOCs)

Are you a teacher, eco-club coordinator or scout’s leader? Are your students interested in biodiversity and making an impact in their community? Take a look at our case studies for more information on what you get to do and learn. Everything on our programme is completely free so why not drop us a message so we can discuss how we can help you heartcrp@warwickshire.gov.uk