Dinosaur hunters were unleashed in Crowborough earlier this month, as Y6 pupils at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School explored the geology, habitats and history of their local area on an exciting ‘Lost World Adventure Quest’.
Schoolchildren role-played the characters of scientists, adventurers and reporters throughout the day, learning all about the area’s rocks, fossils and modern-day reptiles. They also enjoyed some nature craft, creating dragonflies out of clay, leaves and flower petals.
Taking in various sites of interest including Crowborough Country Park, the guided walking route highlighted unique High Weald features such as gill streams, iron-rich earth and ancient woodland as well as species native to the area such as newts and adders.
The Adventure Quest was part of a new education project inspired by the area’s protected landscape and named after The Lost World, a novel by former resident Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. ‘Crowborough’s Lost World: Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaur Fun’ is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and was launched as part of the Crowborough Community Festival in May.
The project was made possible by the newly-formed Crowborough Community Association; activities include interactive arts and science workshops and guided walks at six local primary schools, led by the High Weald Partnership’s Education Officer Rachel Bennington.
Kate Ticehurst, Year 6 Class Teacher, said: “The children absolutely loved the Adventure Quest and we were all amazed by the fascinating history and nature right here on our doorstep. We’re learning about Evolution and Charles Darwin at the moment, so it was the perfect opportunity to get out and about and discover the High Weald’s prehistoric past.”
The workshops are now booked up for the Summer Term, but if your school is based in or around Crowborough and you would be interested in embarking on an Adventure Quest in the Autumn Term, please contact Rachel on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..