Wilkinsons Helps Egglescliffe Pupils Unearth the Past – Literally!

Bringing History to Life: A Special Dig for SEN children

At Wilkinsons Landscapes, we’ve always believed in learning by doing—and nothing captures young imaginations like dinosaurs and buried treasure!

That’s why we were thrilled to team up with Egglescliffe Primary School to help create a fully interactive, mock archaeological dig site, complete with dinosaur bones, skeleton models, Iron Age pottery, and more.

This creative initiative is part of the school’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision, designed to offer tailored, accessible education that inspires all pupils—especially those who benefit from hands-on, sensory learning.

Simon Wilkinson, Wilkinson Landscapes (left) and Emma Robertson, Head Teacher (right)

Simon Swaps Landscaping for Archaeology

Our Managing Director, Simon Wilkinson, led the way (hard hat and all!) by digging out the pit himself using one of our excavators. The space is now filled with fascinating artefacts for pupils to discover during outdoor history lessons that feel more like adventures than classes.

“I feel very strongly that classroom-based education isn't everything,” said Simon.“Every child deserves the chance to learn in a way that works for them. Seeing how this project helps children engage through hands-on discovery is going to be incredibly rewarding. I wish I’d had something like this when I was at school!”

An Inclusive, Imaginative Space

Headteacher Emma Robertson described the project as “truly transformative”:

“The sensory and practical elements of the dig site bring history to life in a way that's both accessible and inspiring. We’re incredibly grateful to Simon and his team for their generosity and for helping us create such a meaningful learning experience.”

Alongside the mock T-Rex skeleton and human bones, pupils will uncover hidden coins and pottery shards—some of which were generously donated by Simon himself. The site not only enhances lesson engagement, but also helps refine motor skills, foster teamwork, and ignite imagination.

Supporting SEN Education Across the Region

This is just the latest in a growing list of initiatives from Wilkinsons Landscapes to support local SEN learners. In the past, we’ve welcomed SEN pupils to our North East plant centre for sensory tours and nature-based experiences—offering young people alternative ways to learn, explore, and thrive.

We’re so proud to support projects like this, and we’ll continue to seek out new ways to give back to the schools and communities we care about. A huge thank you to Egglescliffe Primary for inviting us to be part of something so special.

📷 Swipe through some of the photos from dig day, and keep an eye out for updates as the pupils unearth their prehistoric surprises!