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?
After successfully addressing Waste Management and Energy projects, students on the Eco Team Committee were keen to address the issue of Bio Diversity within the school. As a result, the students decided that they would like to start a Gardening Club after school with the aim of turning a drab, little used, concrete area within the heart of our school building into a place of tranquil, respite and pleasure for all staff and students to share and enjoy.
At the same time they wanted to develop the general interest of students in gardening and healthy eating by looking at growing their own herbs and vegetables and also facilitate them with the opportunity to develop a project where they had complete financial, design and implementation control, which would encourage enthusiasm and dedication to the ‘green cause’ to flourish.
ACTION
How was the project delivered and was it integrated into the curriculum?
With the building of a brand new school on our site, which will incorporate much more greener spaces for development, we currently had no ‘natural’ ground spaces that could be used by the students to start planting, so they initially researched ideas for patio gardens.
They investigated the job roles and specifications that would be needed to undertake such a project successfully and proceeded to draw up designs and research the types of flowers and vegetables that could be grown whilst ensuring that the harvesting period and school holidays were compatible, so that produce did not go to waste. Students attending our on-site vocational centre were approached and asked to build suitable planters for the project to get us ‘kick started’.
CHALLENGES
Did you have to overcome any challenges to make the project succeed?
The students started the project with nothing, but the thoughts in their head and an idea on a piece of paper. There was no land for them to use, no tools and no produce.
PUPIL LEADERSHIP
How did you get the children involved? How did they have ownership?
The students initiated the idea for the project, did all the background research, completed advertising and undertook the physical work to put their vision into reality. Support from staff on the Eco Team by way of supervision at the afterschool club was only required to ensure that Health & Safety was being met and there were some occasions where they required being driven to B&Q and garden lectures.
RESULT
How have the children benefitted from the project and any other benefits for the school (reduced costs, cleaner school etc)? Please include any figures and analysis if appropriate.
The children have developed their confidence and understand the concept of taking responsibility for the growth of something precious in life. The project has also enabled them to learn skills that will be most important to them in the work force, such as research and design, self management, team working skills, creativity, forecast planning, and budget management.
The entire school community has benefited from an area that was originally an unused, cold concrete area, which is now a picture of colour, an atmosphere of gentleness and an environment where we can all go and sit, think and relax. The students are appreciative of the work that the team have undertaken and are developing their own appreciation of having respect for something that someone else has spent much time and energy developing for others within our school.
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?
Grants were applied for and obtained from Morrisons’ Supermarkets under their Action Earth Project. The students attended lectures at a local garden centre to obtain information, and the school participated in Morrison’s Let’s grow Campaign to obtain tools, seeds, etc. Initial building of the purpose made flower beds was sourced by the school and the students in our Vocational Centre who designed and built them for the Club.
LESSONS LEARNED
What advice would you give to schools that want to follow in your footsteps?
The most important factor is not the amount of space you have or even if you have access to land to start allotments etc, but the enthusiasm and dedication of the students for the project and staff who are prepared to support and intercede on the students’ behalf when communication links are required with senior staff etc.
NEXT STEPS
Has this project driven other Eco-Schools ideas and what is the school working on next?
The students are now looking at linking with the Business and Enterprise specialist status of the school, by developing their own “Market Garden Shop” to sell the produce grown to staff and market their own dried herbs and mint sauces. The students are extremely excited at the prospects of moving into our new school where they will have access to an Orchard, a student designed kitchen garden, an ecological pond and wildlife area, complete with its own Eco Solar Dome for learning more first hand about our Earth and all the beautiful things we can help grow on our school land.
Posted: 11th May 2010
| Green Flag: | 1,179 |
| Silver: | 3,922 |
| Bronze: | 4,642 |
