The ribbon was cut on a new community orchard at Primrose Hill C of E Primary Academy in Lydney, as the school celebrated being awarded a Distinction in their Eco Schools Green Flag.
Mel John, the year 4 class teacher and Sharon Jones, the year 5 class teacher have been leading the school’s gardening efforts, helping the children to develop a beautiful space, full of edible treats.
The school’s Eco Council welcomed everyone to the opening event and explained what they had been doing over the past year.
Betsy said, “At the beginning of every academic year, we set our key action points… We were keen to develop our school gardens, creating a compost area and encouraging children to compost their fruit snacks. Our Eco Council gave a presentation on the importance of composting and we now compost all of our snack waste.”
They harvest rainwater to water their fruits and vegetables and have received a huge number of donations from local businesses and residents, including a greenhouse which is now filled with tomato and pepper plants.
With Sharon keeping a careful record of the children’s progress and Mel teaching the children in the garden, the two teachers have helped the school to make remarkable progress.
Mel said, “We’re putting in a reflection area next and we’re hoping to install an orb or a mirror in the middle of the reflection area. The plan is to have areas for all the senses: Soft lamb’s ear for touch, herbs for scent, rattly grasses for sound. We want the space to be run by the community, for the community, with neighbours and families tending, harvesting and enjoying what we grow here. We just need to keep raising money to support our plans.”
Volunteer Anna Palmer gives her Mondays to help the children at Lydney Church of England School and Primrose Hill. She said, “I do it so that the children make the connection about where their food comes from. It’s something that we should all really care about.”
The garden is not the only environmentally friendly work happening at Primrose Hill. The school has recently been fitted with air source heat pumps to replace a defunct heating system. They have an Eco Code in the form of an acrostic poem which explains the school’s approach to the environment in an accessible way. Tips include not laminating unless strictly necessary and avoiding pesticides and other toxic substances.
Mel is a passionate environmentalist and is keen to explain more about eco systems to the children. She said, “We had a lot of blackfly on our broad beans this year, so we talked with the children about natural solutions. We’re encouraging ladybirds to come and eat the blackfly rather than spraying with nasty chemicals.”
Headteacher Emma Mignaud said, “I’m not much of a gardener myself, but I want the school to be at the heart of our local community and somewhere that local people can come to reflect and relax. Caring for God’s creation is everyone’s responsibility and this organic community eco garden is part of Primrose Hill’s stewardship of our planet.”
The school is part of the Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust which aims to provide children of all faiths and none with excellent educational provision within a caring and supportive Christian ethos.
To find out more, contact ku.gr1728317775o.tag1728317775d.hrp1728317775@nimd1728317775a1728317775
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Brilliant work. I hope local businesses can get behind this amazing project and support it . So important to teach children about the environment and how much fun it is to grow things!