London,
13
April
2017
|
09:31
Europe/London

Hampstead Heath launches competitions for schoolchildren

The City of London Corporation is searching for talented and creative schoolchildren around Hampstead Heath to enter several competitions as part of the Heath’s Pond Project Education Programme.

There are three different competitions that students can choose to enter, all with a focus on using the environment on the Heath as inspiration.

Writing Competition

Young storytellers can write a short story, up to 1000 words long using the theme "Hampstead Heath of the Future".

Individual prizes will be awarded to the winners of each category, and their entries will be displayed on the City of London website.

This competition will be judged in two age categories:

  • School years 7, 8 and 9
  • School years 10 and 11

Science Competition

Students are asked think about how Hampstead Heath will look in 50 years’ time. Entrants can look at the Heath as a whole or pick a specific feature of it to focus on.

Any method can be used to showcase their ideas but must be supported with scientific and/or geographical information.

This competition will be judged in two age categories:

  • School years 7, 8 and 9
  • School years 10 and 11

Art Competition

The City Corporation, in partnership with the Affordable Art Fair, and estate agents Anscombe and Ringsland, have challenged entrants to create imaginative artwork entitled 'Wildlife on the Heath’.

The winning entries will be exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair in Hampstead Heath in Summer 2017.

Prizes will be given to the winners of the following categories:

  • Years 7 to 11
  • Years 5 & 6
  • Year 4 and under

Deadline for entries to the writing and science competitions is Sunday 30 April. The art competition closes on Wednesday 26 April. Entrants should email ponds.education@cityoflondon.gov.uk or telephone 020 7332 3738 for more information.

The Hampstead Heath Ponds Project is a complex engineering and landscaping project, designed to make sure that the earth dams on the Heath can withstand extreme rainfall events.

The City Corporation set up a free education programme based around the Project, working with local primary and secondary schools to educate children in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, geography and citizenship. Sessions take place in the classroom and on the Heath.

The programme has engaged over 3300 secondary students in 25 different schools and nearly 1000 primary schoolchildren.

Bob Warnock, the City of London Corporation's Superintendent for Hampstead Heath said:

"Entrants will not be short of finding inspiration in Hampstead Heath. With the sun shining and the flowers in bloom, Spring is now in full effect.

“It's a great time to immerse yourself amongst the trees and explore what the Heath has to offer. We can't wait to see the entries that'll be submitted."

Hampstead Heath is located 3.5 miles from Trafalgar Square and receives over 7 million visits a year. The City Corporation spends more than £5 million a year to maintain the Heath which includes a zoo, an athletics track, an education centre, extensive children's facilities, three swimming ponds and a Lido.

The City of London Corporation manages 11,000 acres of green space across London and south east England, including Epping Forest and Burnham Beeches, with many of its sites designated National nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest for their unique ecology and rare plant species.

-Ends-

Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Public Services Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Susie Glover, Education Project Officer is available for media interviews. Please contact Carl Locsin (carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk/020 7332 3654)

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

  • We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.
  • We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.
  • We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.