Hunton CofE Primary School - The School Grounds

PROJECT

Why did you decide to undertake this project (i.e. Particular issue in school or part of a larger campaign) and what aims did you have starting out?

Our school grounds are beautiful as we are a rural school in the heart of Kent countryside, but we did not feel that we were making the very most of them. We wanted to further develop our habitat environment and strengthen everyone’s contribution to our kitchen gardens.

 

 ACTION

How was the project delivered and was it integrated into the curriculum?

We had a ‘pond day’ at school where the children helped with the refurbishment of the pond area, made bug homes, set up log piles and put up bird boxes and bat boxes. Our older children were given responsibility for various projects including making ‘bug hotels’, making stepping stones and prayer flags each child was expected to research their area so they could support younger pupils. Parents were invited along to help during the day and a team from Medway Partnerships was there.

A team of reporters were allocated amongst our pupils and a video diary and power point presentation was produced. Stepping stones were made from cement with the children and Tibetan prayer flags were designed and made. Children who did not usually contribute to the gardening clubs were encouraged to plant seeds and help in the gardens.

CHALLENGES

Did you have to overcome any challenges to make the project succeed?

The pond area was very sad before its refurbishment and had become a much neglected area of the school to create an enthusiasm for the project started very slowly. Our kitchen gardens were previously thriving through lunchtime clubs but we felt not all children were involved it took time to re design the timetables so that gardening could be a) allocated curriculum time and b) be recognised by all teachers as a cross curricular activity of value.

PUPIL LEADERSHIP

How did you get the children involved? How did they have ownership?

There were meetings with the Eco- Council, School Council, Governors’ premises committee, PTA and whole school assemblies. After agreeing the projects to be undertaken a competition was held to re-design the garden for our reception children, we contacted Medway Partnerships for help and advice with the refurbishing of the school pond and the children organised a whole school sponsored skip to finance the projects.

RESULT

How have the children benefitted from the project and any other benefits for the school (reduced costs, cleaner school etc)?

Activities including pond dipping and identifying mini beasts are now securely integrated into the curriculum using the refurbished pond area without having to arrange a visit to a country park. We have also timetabled gardening and growing into the weekly curriculum ensuring that every child in our school is involved in the production of food.

The youngest children will once again this year harvest food from their kitchen garden, prepare and cook it and share it with their parents and some ‘important guests’ during their ‘Grand Reception Lunch’. While the produce from the larger garden will be harvested, prepared and shared with parents and visitors during our social evening after the whole school production in the summer.

RESOURCES

Did you use any educational resources such as The Pod (If yes, indicate which activities), receive any support from parents, staff and outside agencies?  Did you have to source funding for the project?

Parents, Medway Partnerships, Governors and the PTA were involved in his project
We funded the project through a whole school sponsored skip

LESSONS LEARNED

What advice would you give to schools that want to follow in your footsteps?

Make sure you are very clear what you want to achieve and that everyone in the community is involved. 

NEXT STEPS

Has this project driven other Eco-Schools ideas and what is the school working on next?

We are now planning to create an outdoor classroom with a wildlife area and tables and chairs where a whole class can learn in a quiet calm environment.

Posted: 10th May 2010

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