Last year, we set up an allotment as part of our school’s community outreach programme, which encourages students to leave the familiar surroundings of the school and mix with the local community and nature. Through this, they can learn valuable lessons about teamwork, the environment and the value of giving.
Growing together: Our school allotment journey
Local teacher Paul Buckell shares his experience of setting up an allotment as part of his school’s community outreach programme...
Sessions at the allotment are led by our forest school leader Rachel Cotton, who has taught outdoor education lessons at the school for the last six years. Alongside her, we have been lucky enough to secure the support of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, with Connor McGoldrick joining us here every Thursday morning. From the beginning, it was clear that he would be a great asset to our lessons, with his easy-going personality, his knowledge of nature and his love of teaching.
The first lessons for the children centred around the preparation that begins in September. It is wonderful for the children to see for themselves how hard work on land can reap rewards later on. They help with a variety of tasks including weeding, preparing the soil and creating walkable footpaths between bedding with chippings. Watching the seasons unfold in this relaxed setting is such a wonderful experience for the students. The change of pace also provides opportunities where teachers and students can just chill and talk about life.
At the same time, the children are surrounded by plants, trees and wildlife and are encouraged to ask Rachel and Connor questions about the things they see. One memorable find was a small animal skull, which Connor was able to identify as a bird and then explain the dimensions and measurements that lead to his conclusion. Connor has also brought in five pairs of binoculars for students to use, which has opened the children’s minds and eyes to the incredible wildlife around them. Birds of prey can often be seen hovering above the surrounding trees looking for food.
A big part of our Autumn preparation involved deciding on what to plant and where. Connor produced a planting plan which enabled students to take ownership of different beds and to keep track of what they have planted. Connor also brought in a bug house to build and a bird feeder stand for the children to replenish every week. All these touches send out the message that wildlife and nature have such an important part in our lives – something that sometimes can go unnoticed.
When Spring came around this year, the children planted seeds and plants, including radishes, strawberries, raspberries, potatoes, onions, broccoli , tomatoes , cabbages and courgettes. As the year has continued, the hot and dry weather has brough with it some frustration as it has seemingly provided ideal growing conditions for weeds, making it an almost never-ending task to keep clearing the beds!
It has been an important lesson for students to realise that not everything survives the weather and grows as expected. Things don’t always work out how we plan them – nature does its own thing, so we have to embrace the process of growing and respect the land. We have already harvested the rhubarb – with Rachel baking crumble for students to try. It was hilarious to watch the faces of the children as they tried it, with a success rate of around 50%in terms of whether they enjoyed the surprise!
Working with The Wildlife Trust and Connor has provided our students with a link to the wider world and taught them how working together can lead to fulfilment and happiness. The children are learning the lessons of being part of a community that has many working parts – all coming together for the greater good of us all. The future looks bright!