INTRODUCTION
Being situated only two miles from Sheffield city centre and in an area with a large population and a number of schools, the woodlands of the Gleadless Valley are ideally placed to be a valuable environmental education resource for both primary and secondary pupils.

Although smaller than some of the other woodlands in the Gleadless Valley, Herdings Wood has considerable potential as a site for educational use. More detailed information to support education work in the wood can be found in the Fuelling a Revolution education pack covering the Gleadless Valley's woodlands and open spaces. Details on how to obtain this can be found in the Schools section of this website.

Key Stage 1 Numeracy - 'Looking at Leaves'
The variety of tree species in Herdings Wood makes it particularly suitable for this unit with its focus on leaf shape and symmetry. Most of the leaves shown on the pupil sheet are present in the valley's woodlands.

Key Stage 1 Science - 'Plants & Animals'
The proximity of Herdings Wood to areas of open ground at Herdings Meadows and Nether Spring Open Space makes it ideal for this unit comparing the flora and fauna of wooded and non-wooded areas.

Key Stage 1 Geography - 'Our Local Wood'
The proximity of the Gleadless Valley's woodlands to local schools makes them particularly suitable for this unit which incorporates the wood into a walk around the locality of the school looking at different land uses.

Key Stage 2 Science - 'What Lives Where?'
The range of vegetation types in and adjacent to the woodlands of the Gleadless Valley provides an excellent resource for studying where specified animal species might find shelter, water and food.

Key Stage 2 Science -'Life Cycles'
The woodlands of the Gleadless Valley clearly demonstrate a range of tree life-stages, from germinating seeds to over-mature trees.

Key Stage 2 Geography- 'Pictures and Plans'
Because of its relatively recent development, the Gleadless Valley offers much potential for examining changes to an area over time. Access to an archive of old photographs of the area can be made available by contacting the Gleadless Valley Wildlife Group.

Key Stage 2 Geography - 'Do you come here often?'
Because of their urban setting, the woodlands, meadows and parks of the Gleadless Valley are extensively used for recreation (e.g. walking, motorcycling, dog walking and wildlife study) and so are particularly good for studying recreational use of urban open spaces. The effect of the woodlands and other open spaces on the character of the local area could be considered.

Key Stage 3 Science - 'Are all woods the same?'
A wide variety of contrasting areas are available for comparison in Herdings Wood and its adjacent open areas. These include:

• dry areas and streamsides
• the edges and interior of the woodlands
• woodland and adjacent open space
  

Key Stage 3 Geography - 'Woodland Climates'
Use this unit to compare the climates of the woodlands and their adjacent open spaces. The woodlands and other greenspaces of the Gleadless Valley range widely in altitude, aspect and proximity to streams and this could be a further focus of investigation.

Key Stage 3 Geography -'Woodlands in the World'
The extent to which the woodlands and other open spaces of the Gleadless Valley are under pressure from the large surrounding urban population could form a focus for study. The effect on the sites of undesirable uses such as tipping, motorbike riding, vandalism and the dumping of stolen cars could be considered as could the varying pressures on different woods and open spaces in the valley.

 

As well as its seven Heritage Woodlands, the Gleadless Valley also contains some excellent wildflower meadows, the wildlife of which can be compared to that of the woodlands.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Key Stage 2 & 3 Geography
The number of streams running through the Gleadless Valley's woodlands make it a good location for stream studies.

Follow a stream from its source, through its confluence with other streams, to its confluence with the Meers Brook and the culverting of this below the old Blackstock tip. Measure the changing width, depth and speed of flow (by floating oranges) of the stream along its course and compare the varying composition of the stream beds, which include exposed bedrock (sometimes causing cascades), stones, silt and mud. Examine the form of the stream valleys which vary from steep sided (for example in The Lumb) to more open cross sections further downstream.

The wildlife of the streams and ponds could also be investigated. The streams contain a range of freshwater animal species, including fresh water shrimps and immature caddis fly, stonefly and mayfly.

When undertaking stream work, appropriate caution should be exercised, particularly after wet weather when the streams can be relatively deep and fast flowing. Consideration should also be given to the intermittent pollution of some of the streams. As they have their source on the relatively protected area of Leeshall golf course, the streams in the upper parts of Leeshall Wood are the least polluted. The short length of the Meers Brook below Carr Wood, having passed under the old Blackstock Tip, is particularly polluted and should be avoided.

In addition, other useful resources from 'get, set … Grow', the South Yorkshire Forest schools' pack, can be downloaded from Downloadable Pupil and Teacher Resources for Key Stage 2 in the Schools section of this site.

The 'Tree File' CD ROM that accompanies the 'get, set … Grow' pack contains identification details and background information for all of the major tree and shrub species found in the wood including Birch, Elder, Hazel and Oak. For further information, go to the section on printed education materials in the Schools section of this website.