Schoolchildren across Swindon have been celebrating the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough through a week of storytelling, creativity and wildlife-inspired activities led by two well-known local figures.
Pupils at schools within The White Horse Federation welcomed author and storyteller Kate Claxton and comedian Ivo Graham into classrooms as part of a wider initiative known as Attenborough Week.
The visits took place at The Croft, Rodbourne Cheney, Gorse Hill and Drove Primary Schools, where children explored themes of animals, nature and conservation inspired by the life and work of David Attenborough.
Throughout the sessions, pupils were encouraged to talk about their favourite animals, discuss the natural world around them and think about ways they can help protect the environment locally.
The activities ended with children creating birthday cards for Sir David using seeded paper, which will later be planted at TWIGS community gardens in Cheney Manor.
The paper is expected to grow into flowers aimed at attracting pollinators and insects, creating a lasting environmental project linked to the celebrations.
A commemorative planter featuring the children’s work is due to be unveiled during the TWIGS Summer Open Day on 21 June.
Kate Claxton, whose children’s books often focus on themes of wildlife and imagination, said the week had left classrooms full of energy and creativity.
“Sir David Attenborough is surely our greatest storyteller, and to be able to share his legacy and our own experiences of storytelling with the children was such a gift,” she said.
“The classrooms were buzzing with poetry, art, humour and heart and we hope that the children left those sessions ready to speak up about the things they care about too.”
She added that allowing the artwork to grow into flowers supporting wildlife made the project especially meaningful.
Director of Education for The White Horse Federation, Simon Cowley, said the celebrations had given pupils an opportunity to connect with both creativity and conservation.
“We’re really pleased that our pupils have had the chance to take part in these celebrations and be inspired by such talented local artists,” he said.
“David Attenborough has spent a lifetime encouraging all of us to look more closely at the natural world around us, and it’s been wonderful to see our children engage with that message and to express it so creatively.”
Attenborough Week was created jointly by Kate Claxton and Ivo Graham, both parents of young children themselves, with the aim of using inspiring public figures to encourage conversations with children about nature, storytelling and the environment.
