Newark and Sherwood District Council teamed up with Newark College to distribute free bat boxes to schools

Handmade bat boxes are being offered to schools to support and increase biodiversity in the district.

Newark and Sherwood District Council is funding materials and managing the distribution of the homes crafted by talented students at Newark College.

Primary and secondary schools in the district are being invited to apply for their very own box.

Twelve, out of 18 bat species of bats, all of which are protected under European law, can be found in Nottinghamshire.

Councillor Emma Oldham, portfolio holder for Climate and the Environment at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We were thrilled to see students from Newark College fully engaged in this collaborative biodiversity project.

“They gained valuable, hands-on experience in every aspect of the design process, from ensuring the bat houses are watertight to understanding how the grooves assist bats in climbing inside.

“We're incredibly proud of the students for delivering such high-quality work.”

Bats rest during the day in a variety of different roost sites such as old buildings, hollow trees caves and rock crevices.

However, with more modern housing developments and renovations, it’s important to create new spaces for these special creatures to use.

Bat boxes are artificial roosts designed to provide bats with alternative resting places or to encourage bats into areas where there are few existing suitable roost sites.

They can also help to encourage interest and educate members of the public about bat conservation which is one of the primary reasons they are being offered to schools.

Emma Oldham added: “In the UK, we’re fortunate to have 18 resident bat species, which make up nearly a quarter of our native mammals.

“However, their populations have faced significant declines over the past century. Bats remain threatened by habitat loss, roost disturbances caused by building developments, and cat attacks. We’re excited to donate these new bat homes to primary and secondary schools across the district, helping protect these vital creatures.

“Thank you to Newark College for making this project a reality.”

Penny Taylor MBE, headteacher of Newark College, said: “Newark College is delighted to be part of the project and this leads to our purpose of being employer led.

“Our students have followed a brief, designed the bat box and then manufactured them, allowing the students to develop their work-based and personal development skills in a purposeful project.”

Schools interested in applying for a box can contact Matt Adey, development manager for Environmental Services at the District Council, by emailing matt.adey@newark sherwooddc.gov.uk.