Award for school's 'green' roof

Sharrow School's green roof is proving to be a haven for wildlife in Sheffield

Pupils and teachers at a Sheffield school have been celebrating after their roof was given special protection as a nature reserve.

Attracting birds, bees and butterflies, Sharrow School's 'green roof' is the first in England to be given Local Nature Reserve status.

Parts of it have colonised naturally and trees have begun to appear.

Head teacher Lynne Ley said: "It's a great resource to get children out of the classroom to learn about wildlife."

The school's roof has become such an important wildlife haven in the city centre that conservation organisation Natural England, together with Sheffield City Council, decided it needed protection.

Special design

Ms Ley said children at the school got a lot out of the green roof.

She said: "They learn how important it is to look after the environment, not just on our doorstep but worldwide."

Designed to show the different sorts of habitats found around Sheffield, the roof is made from locally sourced and recycled material.

Peter Nottage, Natural England's regional director, said: "This is a superb example of how we can involve our future generations in looking after our environment."

There are several green roofs in England, with about 120 in Sheffield and Rotherham, but Sharrow School's is the first to be officially declared a Local Nature Reserve.

Sheffield City Council leader Paul Scriven said: "The Local Nature Reserve designation will protect the roof to ensure it remains a haven for birds and other kinds of wildlife."