The private and the public sectors have joined forces to fund and manage an extraordinary educational programme for youngsters that will focus on Bermuda's natural and human heritage.

The Axis Education Programme will focus mainly on Government schools resulting in children in Primary two, four, six and M2 grade levels, experiencing lessons in science and social studies.

Nature reserves and historic buildings belonging to the Bermuda National Trust (BNT) will be included in the scheme, which is a collaboration between Government, Axis Capital Holdings Limited and the BNT.

According to BNT Director of Education Dr. Nicola O'Leary, the goal of the Axis Education Programme is to develop relevant and engaging educational programmes that make use of BNT resources.

Trust nature reserves and historic buildings include: Verdmont, Paget Marsh, Spittal Pond and St. George's, by the end of the three years.

Additionally, school teachers will have on-site training which will not only enable them to better teach the particular model involved but also demonstrate best practices in instructional delivery strategies and their application to these sites.

The school time lessons will be complimented with holiday camp programmes in the new Axis Classroom at the BNT Waterville headquarters, lecturing about Bermuda's culture, traditions and history.

CEO and president of Axis Capital, John Charman, said: "The Axis Education Programme has been modelled to fit directly into the Government schools' curriculum and will, by the third year, see some 2,400 students and 240 teachers benefit from, and be enriched by, the experience of learning about their history, culture and environment within the unique setting of the Trust's beautiful nature reserves and historic buildings.

"Our programme will provide Bermuda's children with the best possible opportunity, through experiential learning, to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of their natural surroundings and their history under the guidance of highly trained educators."

Trust executive director Jennifer Gray stated: "The Trust has long believed that you cannot expect people to protect and preserve that which they do not know and understand."